No Drugs to Help Get Back on His Feet
--Trent Johnson, Kecoughtan High School
--Savannah Fender, Marion High School
For the longest time it has been a rumor as well as a proven fact, slightly exploded by large amounts of media coverage, that persons who receive benefits from the government such as unemployment, food stamps and Welfare often also abuse illegal substances. Solutions to this problem have been often discussed in local establishments and by other grassroots movements however, no formal steps have been taken with respect to legislative activity regarding this topic, until now. Commonwealth Senate Bill NO. 18 introduced a solution to this very problem by proposing a plan to enact a random drug testing policy to receive government assistance.
Austin Collier from Kecoughtan High School served as patron to this bill to the Committee on Local Government, with surprising results. The plan would include random urinalysis drug test focusing on marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates, methamphetamines and amphetamines. The following stipulations include; should a recipient fail a drug test his benefits would remain intact until a second test 30-60 days later; should a recipient then fail this second test, his benefits will be removed for a two year period when he is then able to reapply for benefits. If an applicant for these benefits refuses to comply with these random tests, the government will not provide benefits. Rationale for decision according to Mr. Collier was that should a citizen wish to apply for a job they would be subject to random drug test, why should the government not hold citizens to the same standards that the private sector does?
In discussion and debate over this bill an amendment was proposed that would provide for an optional twelve-step program for the receipt who failed the first test to help him “get back on his feet” according to Mr. Collier. As amended, the bill passed with a 12-2 vote. Opposition from this bill stemmed from Committee member Kathleen Salguero, from the Arlington Career Center, who called the bill “judgmental” and stated that “people don’t choose to be unemployed,” which both were well founded thoughts. Other than her comments and a few other questions from other committee members, the only discussion came in the form of additional support for the positive aspects of the bill. In later discussion with Mr. Collier he stated that “this bill will receive much more contested debate on the floor, I’m excited for the discussion.”
--Savannah Fender, Marion High School
For the longest time it has been a rumor as well as a proven fact, slightly exploded by large amounts of media coverage, that persons who receive benefits from the government such as unemployment, food stamps and Welfare often also abuse illegal substances. Solutions to this problem have been often discussed in local establishments and by other grassroots movements however, no formal steps have been taken with respect to legislative activity regarding this topic, until now. Commonwealth Senate Bill NO. 18 introduced a solution to this very problem by proposing a plan to enact a random drug testing policy to receive government assistance.
Austin Collier from Kecoughtan High School served as patron to this bill to the Committee on Local Government, with surprising results. The plan would include random urinalysis drug test focusing on marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates, methamphetamines and amphetamines. The following stipulations include; should a recipient fail a drug test his benefits would remain intact until a second test 30-60 days later; should a recipient then fail this second test, his benefits will be removed for a two year period when he is then able to reapply for benefits. If an applicant for these benefits refuses to comply with these random tests, the government will not provide benefits. Rationale for decision according to Mr. Collier was that should a citizen wish to apply for a job they would be subject to random drug test, why should the government not hold citizens to the same standards that the private sector does?
In discussion and debate over this bill an amendment was proposed that would provide for an optional twelve-step program for the receipt who failed the first test to help him “get back on his feet” according to Mr. Collier. As amended, the bill passed with a 12-2 vote. Opposition from this bill stemmed from Committee member Kathleen Salguero, from the Arlington Career Center, who called the bill “judgmental” and stated that “people don’t choose to be unemployed,” which both were well founded thoughts. Other than her comments and a few other questions from other committee members, the only discussion came in the form of additional support for the positive aspects of the bill. In later discussion with Mr. Collier he stated that “this bill will receive much more contested debate on the floor, I’m excited for the discussion.”
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