Drug tests for welfare recipients.

There's a generation out there that believes that jobs are a dime a dozen and they want to start at the top! They are insulted that they aren't a high wage earner and it is more so this mentality that "rebels" the system and figures they get paid more to sit at home on the system... they make up a sound story and are the more apt to sit around, smoke pot (or do other substances like magic mushrooms)
I know of one mom who raises 6 children, her home is spotless, you could eat off her floors, she's taking a course, she says she needs a puff of pot every day to cope and to keep a level head - the father of her children, well, who knows where he is!?
Are we to condem such a woman? She is tending to her affairs, she is not in a stuper, hung over or out on the town. She is not slurring her words, or beating her kids. She is not drunk and out of line or malice to her children and she does not need to apologize to them the next day, not really remembering what she said or did.
There are more alchoholics on the system - why are they not forced to clean up - is it becuz alchohol is legal?
And whether rich or poor, Alcohol is the number one destroyer of families and as for Junkies on the system, it doesn't take very long to pick one off and there is a whole different department for them.
And as NovaChick made mention, (damn it's on the previous page) how many out of how many actually can clean up? The ratio is a lose situation, however, a plus for those who have the strength, back up, mental support - to do so.
At any rate, how many actually believe that once the rent and part of the bills are paid, that there is any left over money? Let alone to eat with. This is to encourage folks to find a job to supplement what they do not have in funds.... nothing wrong with that as long as there are options! I know of many moms who cry, who want better for their children, who go without so much so their kids can have - who when given an opportunity, grab on with both hands and do whatever they can not to falter - punks who get on the system, who don't pay their rent and bills but buy drugs instead, should be immediately removed off the system and left to fend for themselves or go home to mom or dad and make the best of what they have.
I strongly believe that in any rent report that a homeowner has to sign for a tennant on Welfare, that it should stipulate that if the rent and bills are not paid, that Welfare be notified so that they can investigate "why" the money received is not used for what it is intended.
Yeah, get these bums off the system! (whether they are drunks or druggies)

New Zealand in it's struggle to retreat from the nanny state has acknowledged that there is a sizable fraction.....third generation welface recipients......whp simply can't work, won't work and will continue to need support for the rest of their lives. They are having considerable success in preventing the offspring of that fraction becoming the fourth generation on welfare.

They discovered the root cause was the self sustaining beaucracy which administrated the welfare state was it's basis. They found THOSE folks real jobs and the problem gradually evaporated.

Why do topics about the homeless always say the same thing? Rather then debating some of the things mentioned above, I'm going to stick to the topic because most peoples views don't change anyways.

Drug testing in order to get help... Would it be an invasion of privacy? Yes. Would it help these people even more? Yes. Do I think people should be denied help because they do drugs of any kind? No, that just seems so wrong and unCanadian. You do drugs so I'm not to help you. It almost on the same lines of You gay/back/jewish so I'm not going to help you. Hmm...

Ok, I got an idea. I don't know if it's the same way in other places, but in Toronto, in addition to the basic welfare check, recipients can get an extra $100 for certain things, such as volunteering, working, going to school, or something. Agreeing to a drug test every month can net them some extra cash. Seeing as welfare doesn't really pay that much in the first place, this may encourage some people to quit using. Just a thought.

Drug abusers don't quit for a bit money. Drug abusers are addicted. You don't cure addictions with money. You cure addictions with treatment.And since taking treatment is still voluntary...

Drug Users and Rehabilitation Program(s)
I'm not sure if it's the same anymore but in Quebec, it use to be that if family or close friends get together and claim that "you are not yourself" acting out of your norm (ie: work manager with good job, family, love(D) the outdoors - stops regular activities, inactive at home, unhappy or mean, robs a jewellery store and has been seen using a substance or have had paraphanilia in possession, a court order may be obtained from a Judge, to apprehend you and place you in a drug rehab - whether you like it or not.
The beauty of this program, is that in clean up, it allots an opportunity for family and friends, to get involved at one point and one on one, literally take the individual for a walk down memory lane... "hey hun, don't you remember when we use to...." or similar contact that reminds an individual of the good memories, or even the hard ones, when as a team, victory was accomplished. It's a reminder that stimulates old bonds, memories, strengths and mends the bond between people.
IF there was a problem, too much pressure at home, on the job, a bad debt that was entailed in secrecy and couldn't handle the debt anymore - whatever, that lead to the pressure or boredom that initiated the substance abuse, then a step back is taken, so that a step forward can be evident.
When family and friends are the fall net per say, this type of program, creates a web of bonding.
It's not a "hold my hand" program, but one that endorses the old person and shows disapproval of the new.
It can take several times in individual cases, for a subject to fall back into their lives, not the substance - however, with the presence of those who care and love - participating, more positive results have been shown.
Now when someone gets so heavily involved in a drug substance, there are so many programs available - available to the family and to the individual - now ask yourself - Are these people on Welfare, screwing the system? or another program or a series of programs that are funded by non profits of government bodies??????
Now if pin pointing someone who is falling into a rut and substance abuse - is the issue of the topic, then individuals, should be made to announce to and have verification from - a landlord and both utility services - so that if or when that individual - is NOT making payments or falling seriously behind, that Welfare be notified.
In the meantime, if organized employment programs are in place that accept what an individual is good at or seeks to educate themselves in - them don't place them in $7.00 and hour jobs when rent is $1,200 a month for a 3 rm suite.... get people back into education - education is the key and while they educate themselves, place them in jobs that are the base of the learning latter. This allows people to grow and change, it gives clear goals and something to look forward to.

That being said, if individuals are not attending these programs, are not seeking an education program that gives them a new trade or benefits and old one - then wham!!! See ya - close their file and that's the end of it.

With notifications by a landlord, one or both utility companies and reconstruction programs, either or will show warnings of slaggers or mouches -
For some, it is really hard to ask for help! It's degrading and a shameful experience, but sometimes life happens and it is a forever growing, learning experience. For others it's a joke, it's an easy way out because they lack something in their will, their personal views on life and with simple programs in place - it takes a couple of months to see which ones really need the help and which ones need to learn other lessons in life on their own. Eventually, even people like this, have to face facts and need to clean up their lifestyle or life will keep teaching them the same lesson until they learn or die.
I
t's kinda like something I always told my kids about "friends" - I always told them that if one of their friends needed "help" - to keep in mind that anyone that respects them and themselves... and is not lookin for a free ride, will offer them their last $10 out of their pocket, rather than say "hey man, I got $10 but I kinda need it and I'll give you some when I get more - k" then not to help them, but if someone is willing to offer their last $10 and "will figure something out, is willing to walk, bike ride or thumb a ride to go look for a job, then to decline the $10 and give their friend a helping hand.
Notifications and Programs - weed out those who are looking for a free ride in no time.

Yes!! Great idea! Test them to see which ones are spending welfare on drugs and alcohol. The way i see it (we the tax payers) are dishing out welfare cheques i want to see my tax dollars invested in someone to get a start on life rather the see them piss it away or blow it up their nose. If we keep shelling out free cash for these assholes that abuse it then there is no incentive for them to go out and work for a living when they can sit around shit faced and stoned until the next payout! And the cycle continues...

AND - if people are going to be tested for drugs, then it is equally fair to test them for Alcohol!!!!
One vice is no better than the other - one cannot say in the same breath that - "if a person can't have a brew, well our system has gone to hell" -
Alchohol becomes a part of your blood stream, it's a liquid that is digested and is a mind altering substance - far more than a puff of pot ever could be

And YOGI
That doesn't mean Pets...
Pets are NOT a Luxury, they are a family Member!!!!
How can you compare Pets to Cable TV, Cigarettes and designer f^ckn clothes???
Good GRIEF
and this coming from a man who is sueing a company for his own err

[font=Comic Sans MS] It'll never happen as it would cost even more money, and besides society sends out mixed messages! As I was scrolling through this, I was wondering how many of you had a beer in your hand? I notice there are no comments about the alleged dope-smoking ferry operators! And what about alcohol? That's legal and look at all the crap that causes? SOme of those people on welfare are really down and out. And how do you know that all these people are smoking dope? You know when you point your fingers there are 3 pointing back at you. :wink:

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