Not Unreasonable

       Should one have to pass a drug test to receive welfare? There are two different arguments here., and they are both about money. Welfare benefits are meant to help us in a time of need, it was never meant to be more than that, unfortunately it has turned into much more than that. The people that oppose drug testing often site the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as the base of their argument. The 4th Amendment protects American citizens from "unreasonable search and seizure". I would normally agree with this, however, is it really an unreasonable search? Welfare is money from taxpayers, if you are going to receive money that other people worked for, don't you owe it to them to at least prove they are not using the money for drugs? My opinion is yes they should, not to send them to jail but maybe to qualify for benefits. I think if I have to pass a drug test to get a job and pay into welfare, then the person getting the welfare should also. The other side of the argument says that this would be too costly of an operation. This is the side that will most likely win out. There would be great costs associated with facilitating and analyzing the tests, and who would be the ones doing the tests? Would it be probation officers or social workers? These positions are already overworked and underpaid in my opinion. This is a prohibitive problem. My opinion is " yes" they should absolutely have to pass drug tests, but this will probably never happen. It would just cost taxpayers more money, the same taxpayers who want to cut costs to begin with. This is a case where I can clearly see both sides. - BDB

Source - (Google Images)
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-welfare-recipients-be-tested-for-drugs