Should DFACS drug test

[fairydust]

I feel that the Department of Family and Children Services should do random blood testing for drugs on the people who receive any assistance.

If they have means and ways to obtain or use drugs, they can find a means and ways to obtain jobs or food!

The money that is spent out on dependant welfare participants would be a lot less if they did do this drug testing.

[mad4martinis]

Oh, heck yeah!! I'll have to ask my friend next time I see her if that's even been talked about. We've had some very interesting conversations lately, this will just be one more.

[fairydust]

Those drug test cost lil compared to the rest paid out..

[summerose]

I agree tequila.

[fairydust]

mad4martinis said:

Oh, heck yeah!! I'll have to ask my friend next time I see her if that's even been talked about. We've had some very interesting conversations lately, this will just be one more.

did you talk to your friend Maddy? I spoke with someone today that said that this is already being widely talked about as a interest within the government.,. wow!

[daydreamer]

I am only assuming (and we all know what the world says about assuming); but from reading the postings here, it appears that some DFACS clients may have been discussed with some who may not be employeed with DFACS??
I do not receive assistance, but if the need ever arises, I would certainly not appreciate learning that my case history was being discussed with friends or family of DFACS employees.

Back to topic: What should the Government do if the drug tests are positive??

I do not use drugs, neither do I condone the use of them.
Sadly, drug use comes in many forms and happens just as frequently by those not receiving Government Assistance.

This situation is certainly not as cut and dry as some would like to think.

[fairydust]

Dreamer, this is not just a closed discussion within DFACS.. it is a wide topic in the political avenues as well.. the State reps WANT AND ENCOURAGE for people to write in and voice.. it only helps things that are already in discussions IF they are in discussions more than just talked about when MORE PEOPLE MAKE NOISE and ACTIONS.. therefor.. its not against the law to call dfacs and be anonymous nor is it against the law or work ethics that concerns be reported or discovered.. in fact, they also encourage help and information as well. Misuse of government help is not something that even the agencies condone, therefor they are in fact more observant and willing to listen to any help they can get to stop fraud cases and to make the system run longer and smoother.. after all they are there because they have a job to preform and one is insuring that families who NEED the help receive it.. and the less misuse.. the more they can help the ones who NEED THE HELP and not just WANT the help..

IF the drug test is positive, discontinue the adults who do get the help. If they can obtain illegal drugs to furnish their feel of needs in their system.. why cant they obtain food..

The street values of drugs were made known at a public drug awareness program.. a bag of pot is valued on the streets for about 60.00. Pills are high and meth is too.. so I think the point is, if you can obtain ways to get illegal drugs, can you not buy your family food? Going after illegal drugs, can you not go after a job?

Makes sense to me that if you can work hard enough at getting stoned or drug induced.. you can work hard enough to provide for your family.. or at least food on the table if nothing else..

Many already agree who see people misuse the system.. not only at dfacs.. but other places as well in the public..

I don't think anyone would get fired for saying.. good idea or bad idea.. and I don't think anyone has mentioned names here... but if you know of someone on your mind.. I am sure you would do the right thing if you have your own children who need help and may be in crisis of loosing the help they get for someone abusing the system.. you seem pretty much concerned or at least intrigued by the topic for your own reasons.. and I am sure there is good faith in all who do consider this topic enough to post in it.

Someone abusing DFACS for o lets say years.. Medicaid pay outs that could be anytime they have a ache or pain and go to the doctor.. or E.R. .. food stamps that I hear range from like 170.00 a month per person? Not sure if thats correct.. tanf checks of like 270.00 per month..
add those up for a years time.. and the cost of drug test blood work at random.. last I hear they can be done for 75.00? Seems most people know of at least one or two who abuse the system.. add all that up and the blood test.. yep.. sounds pretty cheap to me..

As for reapplying for assistance once one is tested positive.. Id say about 6 months of having to wait for another application to be accepted for assistance MIGHT just put the people back to work and learn Independence.. ?

Doesn't sound too awful bad of an idea and in the mean time.. there would be help assured for the ones who do need it.. instead of just wanting it.
The only concerns there would be if someone was doing something in the wrong..

[manape]

Fairydust, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. We need more people like you who have the courage to speak out and provide ideas to combat issues that face Union County.

Drug addiction is a problem and something needs to be done to cure the problem. Local law enforcement agencies are working very hard to get the drug dealers and users off the street. Also, I know DFACS people work very hard, the system is over burdened, and I think many people try to abuse the system. Above all, if children are involved, the primary objective should be to protect the children.

I'm not sure exactly how DFACS works. If someone goes to DFACS, I think they have a process to check records to find out if someone is abusing the system. My suggestion is to provide monitory support for a short time period, provide assistance to find jobs by working with the unemployment office, and let employers administer drug testing. Drug addiction is a problem and the disease needs to be cured. I would like to see programs to cure the root cause of the problem.

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of dedicated people to change the world. Indeed, it's all that will ever last." by Margaret Mead.

[fairydust]

Manape, lots of kids are affected.. and when they see their parents Dependant on welfare and striving for drugs.. Its sad all around.. the kids didn't ask to be brought into that kind of thing.. kids live what they learn.. some realize but there are too many children who are endangered throughout the drug habits of others.. yes, its a sickness but one that CAN BE OVERCOME and one that does not even have to start..

Foster homes are filled to the hilt in Blairsville.. and mostly due to drug abuse.

[fairydust]

Do you have children Tikki/? More than that, are you defending drug addicts that apply for welfare? How many want to keep up drug addicts and pay their bills?
Are you or your family affected negatively or positively by drug addicts?

[honeybee]

HHHMMMM between this forum and the other forum, me feels something is a brewing.

HECK JUST LINE THEM UP AND SHOOT THEM THEY ARE A BURDEN ON THE SYSTEM!

WHY SHOULD WE FORGIVE THEIR MISTAKES, AFTER ALL WE DON'T MAKE ANY SO WE DON'T HAVE TO BE FORGIVEN!

SHOOT THEIR KIDS TOO CAUSE NOW THEY ARE ON THE WELFARE LINE AND DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER!

I KNOW LET'S PUT EVERYONE WE DON'T AGREE WITH IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP AND ELIMINATE THEM.

AND THE OLD PEOPLE, YEAH! THEY ARE A BURDEN, WHY THOSE OLD FARMERS NEVER WORKED IN THEIR LIVES! JUST HAD HOMES AND KIDS AND SOLD THEIR CROPS! YEAH! IF YOU AIN'T WORKED, INTO THE CONCENTRATION CAMP YOU GO! NO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR YOU!

AND THE PEOPLE ABUSING THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PAYMENTS! WE KNOW YOUR BACK AIN'T HURT AND YOUR CRIPPLING ARTHURITIS IS FAKE! THROW THEM IN THERE TOO!

IT'S NOT OUR FAULT YOUR KID IS DISABLED OR NEEDS GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, THROW THEM IN THERE TOO.

YEAH! LET'S AIM FOR A PERFECT SOCIETY!

OH DANG! THAT'S RIGHT HITLER ALREADY DID THIS.

[fairydust]

Well now thats one way to solve issues huh?

SSI has drug abusers too? See I dont know any drug abusers abusing that but Ill take note of that too as I do have elders who have worked all their life and deserve retiring and being able to have SSI more than drug abusers trying to play that for all it is worth as well! And who would want to settle at a young age for disability beings it is based on your earnings you have made and paid in at a young age..?

Thanks Honeybee! You could have just been the change in life to help another huh?

[honeybee]

DARN TOOTIN SISTER!

fa·ce·tious /fəˈsiʃəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fuh-see-shuhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
2. amusing; humorous.
3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.

[manape]

I read an article last week about kids getting into drugs as early as the 5 th grade. Very sad.

I'm just wondering how the drug test would be administered.

For anyone reading this, if the "drug problem" hasn't affected someone in your family, count yourself lucky. I hope people understand Fairydust is trying to make a difference.

[honeybee]

Drugs aren't the only thing they are doing or learning in the 5th grade.