Some people would say the war on drugs is hurting more people both financially and emotionally. Some people would say the tobacco industry are hurting much more people both financially and emotionally as well but you dont see people getting arrested for smoking cigs, even in enclosed areas with children present I think its still legal. In the past I used hard drugs without hurting people, but saw the error in my ways and cleaned myself up without having to serve time, had I been caught I'd probably have gotten stuck in the reform system like many do and still using drugs. I still smoke marijuana without hurting anybody, lucky Costa Rica was smart enough to decriminalize it. It's a complete waste of resources to hunt down recreational users and addicts and diverting resources away from violent crimes like rape and murder as discussed in the video I posted.
The Tobacco and Alcohol industries are the biggest pushers in the world and they are legit, Im not saying put crack on billboards or racecars just dont spend trillions trying to lock up users and use funds to track down and prosecute violent offenders. If this logic makes no sense to you then there is something wrong with you.
half the jails and prisons in this country are filled with non violent drug crimes... Big agenda out there to keep them filled.. Govt. would rather spend more money building jails then schools... its sick !!! drugs should be regulated and decriminalized.. that would end the violence once and for all
[h=1]Minnesota Passes Controversial Drug Testing Law For Welfare Recipients[/h] Share this with a friend
By Allison Geller, Tue, December 31, 2013
Taxpayers and poor families may be the real targets of a new Minnesota law meant to stop drug users from receiving welfare.
The law was meant to save taxpayers money by making welfare recipients more accountable. However, the mandatory drug testing policy comes with a host of local mandates, rules and paperwork that taxpayers will be forced to help fund, only to affect a handful of 167,000 Minnesota residents on welfare.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, the Republican who sponsored the legislation, said he wrote the law to address concerns in his hometown over drug users abusing the welfare system.
“The question is, ‘What is happening to our dollars?’” Drazkowski asked. “Are the dollars going into someone’s veins? Or to the kids? Drug testing addresses that.”
But research indicates that the perception of welfare recipients as drug users is incorrect. A Department of Human Services analysis found that Minnesota’s welfare program benefits low-income families that are much less likely have felony drug convictions than the general population.
“I don’t think anyone is under the illusion that this is about saving taxpayers money,” said Heidi Welsch, director of family support and assistance for Olmsted County. “This is punitive.”
According to the legislation, officials at the county level will now be required to “randomly” test welfare recipients who the DHS identifies as having been convicted of a felony drug offense. While the law passed with little debate, county officials are now faced with enforcing the cumbersome and expensive drug testing measures.
Minnesota is one of at least nine states that have passed legislation requiring drug testing or screening to qualify for public assistance. Some stipulate that the drug testing only applies to those who are believed to have a substance abuse problem.
Sources: Star Tribune, St. Cloud Times
Taxpayers and poor families may be the real targets of a new Minnesota law meant to stop drug users from receiving welfare.
The law was meant to save taxpayers money by making welfare recipients more accountable. However, the mandatory drug testing policy comes with a host of local mandates, rules and paperwork that taxpayers will be forced to help fund, only to affect a handful of 167,000 Minnesota residents on welfare.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, the Republican who sponsored the legislation, said he wrote the law to address concerns in his hometown over drug users abusing the welfare system.
“The question is, ‘What is happening to our dollars?’” Drazkowski asked. “Are the dollars going into someone’s veins? Or to the kids? Drug testing addresses that.”
But research indicates that the perception of welfare recipients as drug users is incorrect. A Department of Human Services analysis found that Minnesota’s welfare program benefits low-income families that are much less likely have felony drug convictions than the general population.
“I don’t think anyone is under the illusion that this is about saving taxpayers money,” said Heidi Welsch, director of family support and assistance for Olmsted County. “This is punitive.”
According to the legislation, officials at the county level will now be required to “randomly” test welfare recipients who the DHS identifies as having been convicted of a felony drug offense. While the law passed with little debate, county officials are now faced with enforcing the cumbersome and expensive drug testing measures.
Minnesota is one of at least nine states that have passed legislation requiring drug testing or screening to qualify for public assistance. Some stipulate that the drug testing only applies to those who are believed to have a substance abuse problem.
Sources: Star Tribune, St. Cloud Times
