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Deal OKs bill requiring drug testing for benefits
by ERRIN HAINES,Associated Press
Apr 16, 2012 | 1773 views | 10 10 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Georgia Republican Gov.-elect Nathan Deal at an early November press conference. (AP Photo/Journal & Constitution, John Spink)
Georgia Republican Gov.-elect Nathan Deal at an early November press conference. (AP Photo/Journal & Constitution, John Spink)
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ATLANTA (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal has signed legislation that would require some people applying for welfare in Georgia to pass a drug test before they could get benefits.

The bill passed the Legislature along partisan lines, with Democrats balking at the proposal as an unfair burden on the poor.

Under the bill, anyone who tests positive for drug use could not apply for welfare for one month and until they test clean. A third violation could prevent someone from applying for benefits for a year. They would also have to pass another drug test before reapplying.

The results from the tests couldn't be used to criminally prosecute people.

Courts have struck down similar laws in other states, although supporters in Georgia expressed confidence that the law here could withstand a legal challenge.
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Comments
(10)
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C.T.failure
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April 19, 2012
Get clean, go do test and pass it and back to the drug dealers in the same day..

Sounds like a plan to me.

You would think o'dummer would have come up with this one!Sounds like some of his stupid crap.

It'll never work...happens all the time.

Here's a better one - test all county and state employees. I know, I know, they already do! But how about starting at the top instead of the bottom, unanounced. I'd like to see them results!

Reply
rt_elms
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April 18, 2012
morn – Don’t you realize that everyone who earned a paycheck benefited from the Bush tax cuts; that it wasn’t just a tax break for the wealthy, and allowing them to expire will be the single largest tax increase on working folks in our history? You’ve got to get over this BDS (Bush-Derangement-Syndrome) as it is clouding your judgment. However, we can agree this bill is a pathetic waste of time and resources and if it survives the courts; will set a precedent that empowers government to be even more intrusive in our lives. For all the naysayers, imagine a world where one must surrender body fluids to access government services i.e. DMV, IRS or the Courts.
Reply
Morn
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April 18, 2012
Monumental waste of money as they knew when they passed this bill. This is just posturing for the uneducated ignorants who want to believe everyone getting public assistance is a drug addict and too lazy too work. The majority are people who have lost their jobs, or had their hours cut and who cant afford to take care of tehir families. They dont want to get money or benefits they have no choice, because of the depression brought on by Bush tax cuts on the super wealthy. Just because you rednecks think its true doesnt mean it is, turn the tv to a news channel instead of fox"news" which isn't and start educating yourself because the state of georgia has obviously failed miserably
Reply
rt_elms
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April 16, 2012
Careful what you wish for because the slope is awfully slippery.
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BeSmart
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April 16, 2012
I have no idea why an elected official would ever vote against this...I just don't understand the stupidity of a statement such as..."unfair burden on the poor". How in God's green earth is this unfair? The burden on the poor will be when they are required to use their own money for food, clothing, housing, etc. instead of drugs!

I guess if this stays a law, then those same stupid legislators against this law will want to pass a bill supplementing drugs for the poor.

You know you have to ease that drug cost burden!! How insane!!
Reply
Vishnu_is_the_ONLY_way
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April 18, 2012
It's easy to kick someone while they're down and hurting, isn't it? It's even easier when the one you're kicking is relying on you for their continued existence. Have you ever had to face a choice these people do? Perhaps they'd have to forgo food for a day just to be sure they can get that stupid test. You reek of ignorant privilege.

Guess what's really insane? You're idea that there's going to be some bill supplementing drugs for the poor. You really didn't think that one through.
layedback
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April 16, 2012
Yes!! Finally they are going to do something about the drug addicts that sit on their butts, get high, and use my money to live off of!!!!!
Reply
Vishnu_is_the_ONLY_way
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April 18, 2012
They've done this in Florida. Guess what they've discovered? Ninety-six percent passed the tests. Two percent failed it. Heck, it says the national average for people over 12 who use illicit drugs is just 8.7 percent. I drops to just 6.3 percent for those over 26.This is just another blame the poor game for a pittance in savings. It probably won't be much different for Georgia.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2011/aug/24/3/welfare-drug-testing-yields-2-percent-positive-res-ar-252458/
pocketfullofsunshine
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April 18, 2012
I am a little confused as to why this is such a "unfair burden on the poor"?? GET freakin real!Any contractor that does work for government agencies have to be drug tested? Most normal employers do drug testing? Students in high school that are involved in sports have to be drug tested? Welfare was not meant to be a career choice! Believe me, I know people who have been down on their luck and desparately needed help, but once they got back on their feet, they dropped the welfare benefits! I dont know any of these people who would have had a problem with a simple drug test?? Its the drug addict scum bag parasites living off our money that have a problem with it!
Vishnu_is_the_ONLY_way
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April 19, 2012
@pocketfullofsunshine

So, you're going to compare people who have money to those without it? You obviously didn't pay attention to an earlier fact that a vast majority PASSED the stupid test. Here's another tidbit from YESTERDAY for you to swallow:

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html?_r=1

You just like equating those on welfare as drug users just to make yourself feel good about stepping on those in need. Well, I know what your pocket is full of (NOT sunshine for certain.)

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