My 2 Cents: Florida Judge Blocks Drug Test Law

Kelly Ogle, News 9

It's like I tell my children, if you want me to help you, you have to help yourself.

It's a simple concept to grasp, but apparently we are so uncomfortable with it, that we'd rather enable drug users than carry the guilt of not supporting them.

A Florida judge has blocked a new law there that requires welfare applicants to pass a drug test before receiving benefits.

She voiced concern that the results are not kept confidential like medical records, and objected to the fact that the drug test results could be turned over to law enforcement.

Those are legitimate concerns, IF YOU USE DRUGS.

If a welfare recipient tests positive for drugs they are ineligible for a cash assistance for one year, though passing a drug course can cut the period to six months.

By the way, an Oklahoma lawmaker, Representative Guy Liebmann of Oklahoma City, plans to introduce a similar welfare drug testing plan here in the next legislative session.

8/6/2011 Related Story: Welfare Recipient Drug Testing Proposed By Oklahoma Legislator

This country is way too cash-strapped to be propping up drug users. If they want help with their habit, we should try to help them, but giving them walking money and telling them they should really get clean is ridiculously naive.

If they're doing drugs, and aren't trying to stop, cut them off immediately.