Drug test welfare applicants

The (Freeport, Ill.) Journal-Standard: If you have to take a drug test to get a job, then it stands to reason that you should have to take a drug test to be on welfare.

It just makes sense.

Now, 23 states (including Illinois) are pushing for legislation that will do just that. Florida already requires applicants to pass a drug test. In Colorado, a bill has been introduced to require welfare applicants to pay for (around $10) and pass a drug test. They would be reimbursed for the fee if they passed — makes sense.

In Illinois, the bill for the test would be picked up by the taxpayers, and we have no problem with that.

We are not against public aid. In fact, we are very much in favor of helping out fellow citizens in need.

But it should be done responsibly and in a way that prevents fraud.

Opponents of drug testing for welfare say it’s a slippery slope that could lead to other individuals who receive federal funds to also get tested (college students, veterans).

The ACLU said that drug testing welfare applicants implies that more of them do drugs than other citizens. We wonder if you have to pass a drug test to work for the ACLU? Because you do to work at The Journal-Standard. In fact, you do to work just about anywhere.