Quick Yes/No Poll: Should the unemployed be routinely Drug Tested?

Created by: Cooltivator :: 2 years ago

benefit, drug, test, unemployment, welfare reform bill

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Vote: +0

"When you claim benefit as an unemployed person [in the UK], a lot of questions are asked to establish whether you satisfy conditions of entitlement - such as "actively seeking" and being "available for work". Today, the House of Lords will debate proposals in the government's welfare reform bill which could see future questions to claimants include whether they are using illegal drugs, drink heavily or are undergoing treatment for substance misuse problems.

So, have your say, what do you think? Should the unemployed be routinely Drug Tested?"

By: Cooltivator :: 2 years ago

Vote: +1

"To me it looks like the state exercising control over the least powerful in society, making them subject to ever more testing and imposing regimes in a bid to cure 'problematic behaviours'

In other words if you are employed, say in banking or (state funded) television, your choice of what you put in your body is largely your business and no one, not even the state will particularly seek to interfere with this as long as this remains confined to private arenas such as your home or the toilets of a swanky London bar. However, once you become unemployed you must undergo this regime of abstention and testing at the behest of the state. Seems unfair to me."

By: BioCurious :: 2 years ago

Vote: +0

"Now this is silly, people in prison are not drug tested, the military are 'drug tested'-ish.

Why should being on the dole cause this?
Madness"

By: VeryPC Pete :: 2 years ago

Vote: +0

"They certainly should, and if they show negative they should be given a list of the local dealers and present market rates and a 50% job seekers discount book of vouchers.

Its shit being unemployed, been there to often. To prey on perceived populist "dole scroungers buying drugs with tax payers money"- Daily Mail inspired fantasies is sick an unbecoming of a left of centre Government.

Oh and I do like a nice bit of organic own grown sensi myself"

By: Natural Choices :: 2 years ago

Vote: -1

"yes, and all unemployment benefits should stop if they are found under influence of drugs continuously for more than three consecutive months."

By: dpuckjoe :: 2 years ago

Vote: +1

"No. Being unemployed does not make you a drug user. Most people are only one pay check away from homeless, especially during a recession. Though drugs are not one of my vices, I would be EXTREMELY OFFENDED if asked to produce a urine sample to receive money from the pot I have contributed to through taxes and national insurance.

Gordon Brown and his minions need to be removed from power!"

By: My Green Cleaner :: 2 years ago

Vote: +1

"I agree with My Green Cleaner..."

By: TheGreenTree3 :: 2 years ago

Vote: +0

"I am not sure this is the right place for this type of discussion.
But my pov is this is a stupid proposal put together by a Lord who probbaly doesnt see any of society and not by the house of commons."

By: Jan :: 2 years ago