Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?
In 2014 the government denied a proposal to subject welfare recipients to drug testing. Proponents including Liberal-National Party MP George Christensen argued that anyone receiving taxpayer funded benefits should be able to demonstrate that they are drug-free. Opponents, including Greens MP Adam Bandt, argued that if welfare recipients were subject to testing MPs should be as well.
@9HJY34R3mos3MO
Yes, if they have a history and are exhibiting the signs of drug abuse after an interview with a professional
@8KRDKB53yrs3Y
if testing is deemed necessary then politicians and government workers receiving gov money should also be tested and those that are testing positive should be provided with help rather than punished
@8NY8LJY3yrs3Y
Maybe, but only if they provide support as drug addiction is an illness just as any other.
@8GZ8L9C3yrs3Y
No, but decrease money given and give food stamp equivalents instead. Also, if found to be addicted to drugs regularly check in on dependents (eg. kids).
@9KVL7Q65 days5D
If they are homeless yes if they are just old and don't work anymore they can consent to test if they wish.
I don’t have a strong stance on this, but I think there should be standards in place to ensure the welfare money isn’t used inappropriately
Test and if positive provide the right things they would need to keep them stable money wise and provide treatment.
Yes, provide treatment for those who test positive, and test everyone earning money from the government, including employees and politicians.
@9JJBTWF2mos2MO
if they have a history of drugs, there should be a way to track spendings from the goverment point, so they can see if they are evn buying drugs
Yes, but only if a trained employee sees the typical signs of addiction/substance abuse, and after they refer this recipient to an onsite specialist who comes to the same conclusion should they be tested (or voluntary)
YES BUT PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR those testing positive. And we should also test anyone receiving money from the government.
@9GGL9B65mos5MO
Yes, everyone should be tested and helped if they have a problem. Including: employees and politicians.
@9G9NGX65mos5MO
Only if they have been reported with drugs or suspicious activity. If not I don't see why they should be tested.
@97Z39VHOne Nation1yr1Y
Only if they are repeat offenders making no attempt to to get off welfare
@97YSHRY1yr1Y
Yes, if it is proven they are not actively looking for work or further skills
@97XQ2L31yr1Y
No because what is it going to achieve? Cut their funding and they seek income from other sources such as crime?
Depends on method of drug testing
Yes, and recipients should be given the option of either undertaking rehabilitation or not recieving welfare payments
@97S92Q71yr1Y
they should only be tested for hard drugs
Yes, and give recipients the choice of either not receiving benefits or undergoing rehabilitation.
Yes, and give recipients who test positive the option to either not receive welfare or undergo rehabilitation
@934M3452yrs2Y
Mandatory programs for rehabilitation
@934K5NS2yrs2Y
No it's a waste of time and money but social welfare programs should be temporary if someone is able to work.
@9347FQS2yrs2Y
Yes but only for hard drugs like heroine and methamphetamines.
@9346PS92yrs2Y
For the time being, they should be tested and if testing positive should be helped with rehabilitation, and this test should be extended to politicians.
if they have children they should get help and still receive payment
@9344DLM2yrs2Y
No, this is a breech of privacy
@933ZZKS2yrs2Y
Yes, provide trestment but also stop there Government welfare checks
@933XZ942yrs2Y
Yes, and test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians, but also provide treatment for those testing positive rather than criminalising them (unless rightfully so).
@933L7D32yrs2Y
No, this is a waste of time and money we should work on generational recipients of welfare though but not take money from people if they have a drug addiction, they should be sent to a rehabilitation clinic.
@933KVRS2yrs2Y
Yes but if they have been on it for over a certain amount of time and only for certian drugs
@9336MMR2yrs2Y
No, only if they are both receiving money from the government (including employees and politicians) and have a criminal history related to drug abuse, and provide treatment for those testing positive
Yes, but provide treatment, a financial counsellor and case worker. Spending should be monitored and penalties for using/buying/selling drugs
@932V3SV2yrs2Y
@932F8PN2yrs2Y
No, welfare programs should be reduced
Only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse, and provide treatment for those testing positive. Also decriminalise drugs.
Yes, but randomly and provide treatment if positive
@92YLVXP2yrs2Y
What will if they get tested? Targets random individuals that may not be on drugs.
@92YJFZ42yrs2Y
No, people turn to illicit substances when they feel defeated. Don’t waste money testing people for drugs when you could be spending it treating the mental health issues that lead them down that road in the first place.
@92YDKP82yrs2Y
All government Employees, politicians and Welfare recipients should be tested. And provided treatment if positive.
@92Y4G2M2yrs2Y
Random drug testing with penalties similar to work places
@92XT34Q2yrs2Y
I think we should legalise all drugs. It works fairly well in Portugal. This way we can monitor the sales of it and Di stigmatise drugs.
@92XQ8SM2yrs2Y
Yes, but offer treatment for those that test positive if they refuse or Fail reduce their benefit and restrict where they can spend it
@92X2MYY2yrs2Y
yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians, provide treatment for those positive, and terminate some of their benefits if it directly opposes their drug use. (eg. if getting money aid and use that on drugs)
@92WGJMV2yrs2Y
If they have been charged with prior use of A class drugs in the presence of adolescent then yes
@92VTT382yrs2Y
not if they are working or applying for jobs
@92VLTYB2yrs2Y
Only for any other drug apart from marijuana.
Yes, but testing should only be imposed on individuals who meet certain criteria to be drug tested. Positive users should be referred to treatment and they should still be eligible for welfare benefits.
@92VDT8C2yrs2Y
No young person benefits, reduce retirement to 55 and only pay short tum or medically supported benefits, create low skill, labour, training jobs support by government policy to change unemployment culture
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