Okay, so… A lot of talk has been going on for quite a while
now about the people on welfare not being drug tested. And I’m happy to say,
that the legislature in Texas recently moved a step closer to getting this
changed! Of course there are terms and conditions that apply to this SB 11
taking full effect, but at least it is headed in the right direction.
Welfare
Texans not being drug tested lead to the assumptions that these folks were
spending their money carelessly on drugs, alcohol, lottery tickets, etc. At
first, Texans on welfare could spend their money however they pleased. Then
Texas passed a bill that ensured that if drug abuse were suspected during a
drug screening survey, that specific family would be drug tested. The steps
following that, of course included of more drug tests periodically and the
right to ban the family from welfare for a year, then they could reapply six
months later. If a second drug test were failed, the same consequences would
arise. If a third drug test were failed, the family could be banned from
welfare forever. In my opinion, this issue has come a long way and is headed in
absolutely the right direction.
Senator
Jane Nelson from Flower Mound, Texas has been taking a good look at the
children’s benefits over this ordeal. She believes that the children are the
main priority- and that this bill is ensured only to protect them. If a parent
fails a drug test, the money would be given to another guardian on the children. That way, the children don’t lose
the benefits for something their parents are doing and they are in no control
of. If the parents are taking their money and throwing it away on alcohol and
drugs, the children aren’t even being taken care of with the money that is GIVEN
to the family to take care of the CHILDREN. The money isn’t given to help find
the parent’s next high or drug fix.
This could
also save Texas some money and actually know that the money we are shelling out
is going to the proper place. Why would we continue to give money to the same
woman or man after several drug tests are failed- assuming correctly that their
money is most likely going to drugs and alcohol and not their children? Sounds
absurd to me. I strongly support this bill and this idea simply because the
children’s lives could depend on this money and Texas might save some money by
taking this action.
I strongly agree with Kristin about this bill to drug test welfare recipients, especially those with a history of drug abuse. As a mother who has previously received welfare benefits, I understand the importance of having to receive benefits to feed your family and I feel it isn't fair to those who are honestly just trying to survive and take care of their families. I have personally known people who have children and would sell their benefits to buy drugs. I think its a good idea to issue the benefits of a person who has failed a drug test to a close family member, like a grandparent. I am also happy with the direction that this bill is going and I hope and pray that it helps many children who suffer from this issue. I strongly believe that if a person who receives benefits is going to use it on drugs or something that doesn't benefit their children they don't deserve any type of help except rehab or some other type of professional help.
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