A state lawmaker is proposing a bill to drug test unemployed Floridians collecting unemployment benefits.

**Terminator** · 03-09-09, 10:39 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A state lawmaker is proposing a bill to drug test unemployed Floridians collecting unemployment benefits.
"Let's make sure it's going to people who truly are ready, able, and willing to work. People who can't pass a random drug test really probably shouldn't be collecting our unemployment money," said bill sponsor Senator Mike Bennett, a Republican from Sarasota.
Last month the state of Florida paid out $117-million in unemployment benefits.
Bennett's bill calls for 10 percent of those who file an unemployment claim to undergo random testing. Also, 10 percent of people already receiving unemployment benefits would be tested.
Mary Ann Aiken of Wesley Chapel is unemployed and unopposed to the proposal. "If they're getting these benefits and let's say for instance they are a substance abuser, then that money could be actually be going to support their habit."
The ACLU of Florida is against the bill and says this type of testing should only happen when there's suspicion someone's using.
"We're taking everyone who happens to be in this situation of not having a job, which are a lot of people right now, and we're treating them as if they are potential drug abusers," said Courtenay Strickland with the ACLU.
Leaving the unemployment office, Dorothy Odie explained how these days "the unemployed" includes "the hard-working" and people who've worked their whole lives. "These people that's coming here, they're working people that have been on their jobs. One man I met today, he'd been on his job 30 years. So, you're labeling people," she said.
But Bennett insists that's not the case. "Whether soft drugs or hard drugs, get clean first so the next person who hires you will not have the liability of having you on the payroll."
The proposal says anyone who failed their drug test couldn't get unemployment benefits for one year.
The bill still has to go to legislative committee. The cost of each drug test would come out of individual benefits.

**Five-0** · 03-09-09, 11:00 PM

If you are getting money from the state, county, or city government it sounds fair to me. Lord knows they drug test the hell out of me.

**jmur5074** · 03-10-09, 12:32 AM

I love it!

**irishmick** · 03-10-09, 12:48 AM

It's about time. I wonder if they can work mandatory birth control into the welfare system as well...

**JAYBIRD33081** · 03-10-09, 01:15 AM

This has been needed for so long now.

**pgg** · 03-10-09, 02:45 AM

This is great, especially the comment from the lady basically admitting that prior to this recession that everyone that was on was doing dope

**BigDawg** · 03-10-09, 03:42 AM

I saw this on the news recently and love it. I think everyone should be tested prior to receiving benefits, then you can go to the random 10%. I can see the NAACP or the ACLU calling this a "racist" bill though.

**Rhino** · 03-10-09, 06:04 AM

It's about effing time. I love the idea! I've always suggested doing something like that here. I would even go so far as to say that you should also be tested for nicotine and alcohol, and if you have any additional children while gathering unemployment (and this should be expanded to welfare, too) then you are also cut off.

And we have Social Services standing by for the first person that cries "but I can't take care of my kids."

**swaggon** · 03-10-09, 07:44 AM

Search that senator and send him some support. It will help sort out the "cant works" from the "wont works".

**Buttercup** · 03-10-09, 09:43 AM

Great idea!

**luckyme** · 03-10-09, 12:29 PM

This law makes WAY to much sense to ever pass.

**Retdetsgt** · 03-10-09, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by luckyme

This law makes WAY to much sense to ever pass.

Yep. It'll never see the light of day.....

**cajunguy** · 03-10-09, 01:14 PM

Of course the ACLU opposes it.

(Maybe we should include them in the drug testing.) Just because!!

.

**kcnuke** · 03-10-09, 01:20 PM

I hope they pass it.

**Wolven** · 03-10-09, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by irishmick

It's about time. I wonder if they can work mandatory birth control into the welfare system as well...

Amen to that! +1

**CTR man** · 03-11-09, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

It's about effing time. I love the idea! I've always suggested doing something like that here. I would even go so far as to say that you should also be tested for nicotine and alcohol, and if you have any additional children while gathering unemployment (and this should be expanded to welfare, too) then you are also cut off.

And we have Social Services standing by for the first person that cries "but I can't take care of my kids."

Originally Posted by irishmick

It's about time. I wonder if they can work mandatory birth control into the welfare system as well...

No Kidding, we don't need any more Octomoms.