Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2011
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2011 Grant Smith
Contact: http://www2.tbo.com/static/tools/contact-us/
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Grant Smith

SHAMEFUL PRECEDENT

Regarding 'New laws require pension contributions, ultrasounds' 
(Metro, June 30): The new law that took effect July 1 requiring all 
state welfare applicants get drug-tested before they can receive 
assistance is a shameful and foolish precedent. Drug tests are 
notoriously inaccurate. Administering them will require more 
government bureaucracy, and studies show welfare recipients are no 
more likely to use drugs than the average person.

A federal court struck down a similar state law as unconstitutional, 
and lawmakers in Idaho recently determined that welfare drug-testing 
would cost their state more money than it would save. It is cruel to 
insist that the poor pay out of their own pocket for a drug test that 
cannot even tell the difference between the poppy seed bagel eaten 
for breakfast and street heroin.

GRANT SMITH WASHINGTON , D.C The writer is federal policy 
coordinator, Office of National Affairs, Drug Policy Alliance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom