Rep. Lonnie Napier’s HB 208 will require drug testing for those receiving public assistance, medical assistance, or food stamps. While we at Take Back Kentucky do not like the welfare state and the untended consequences that philosophy has created nor do we encourage people do do drugs, this law it self has unintended consequences to it as well. Examination of those unintended consequences need to be understood before everyone decides whether or not they support this bill or not.
The natural reaction to this bill is a positive one, we don’t want people on public assistance (more like dependence) and we especially don’t want people receiving welfare to be on drugs. However, let’s think about what enacting this bill into law would mean. If someone tests positive for drugs then what is the next logical thing that will have to happen. The individual that tests positive will eventually either have to be put through a state paid (taxpayer paid) rehab or put into the prison system (taxpayer funded as well). That’s not all though, what about those with children, the children will require eventually at minimum someone (taxpayer paid) from whatever department that oversee children’s well being or completely become wards of the state (also costing taxpayer money).
So while we might eliminate one cost, in that of welfare, we will likely double if not more than that expanding the prison system and children’s services sector of the government. No one on this mailing is in support of welfare; however, we have a budget problems that are breaking this state, there is no more money and trading $1 for $2 in expenses for something that will not solve anything except make us feel better is not a solution. Right now it costs $19,000 per inmate, and our rate is growing at 45%, 13% above the national average and our current costs overall are $460,000,000 with 1/4th of the inmate population due to drug use. We spent $200,000 for someone to tell us this. Don’t think the state won’t prosecute these individuals? Then why is there a provision for criminal proceedings; Section 10(d). We simply cannot afford this.
An additional reason to oppose this legislation is it sets precedent. Almost all of us at some point interact with the government. Two common ways (agree or disagree) is through government loans for education or through tax incentives for business. What’s next requiring any one who benefits from interaction with the government to submit to a drug test or what have you. Sure that sounds silly now, but when the welfare laws were created did anyone ever envision drug testing and the possibility of an individual on it loosing it? No! It was created to “help” the poor, a substantial amount which were on drugs in the first place.
An important lesson we must keep with us in dealing with the government is to protect the fringe or you will become the fringe.
You want to solve poverty, drug use, or child neglect get involved in your community and care about and for your fellow man, don’t let the answer be the government because they will surely create another problem and foot the Citizen Taxpayer with the bill. We cannot afford not to start dealing with each other on an individual basis. We must reverse government dependency not expand it.
We at Take Back Kentucky may differ with some on the assessment of this situation, we would encourage everyone to give great consideration to this bill before decision of support is given or not. Remember the law of unintended consequences. After thought if you feel as we do then please act when we send out and alert, as it has not yet been assigned to a committee. Right now you can call your Representative and inform them of your opinion on this matter.