County plans vote
Local measure would support state drug billBy KERRY McAVOY , The Leader-Herald
FONDA - The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will decide Tuesday whether to support a state measure that would require public assistance applicants to be tested for drugs before receiving benefits.
The county Finance Committee on Tuesday moved a resolution to support the state measure to the full Board of Supervisors without a recommendation.
The bill was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, R-Guilford. The bill is being worked on by the Assembly's Social Services Committee. Under the measure, applicants who fail the drug test would have to undergo a drug rehabilitation program before obtaining benefits.
Amsterdam 5th Ward Supervisor Karl Baia supports the drug testing. He said many people in his ward are angry about people using public assistance to pay for their drug habits.
"A lot of people walk up to me and say they know someone on drugs who is also on public assistance," Baia said.
Palatine Supervisor Sieds Jonker said it's not right to say people can't be tested while on welfare, but can be tested when they are trying to gain employment.
Charleston Supervisor Shayne Walters said in today's economy, more families in the county are going to need assistance. Anything that can be done to remove people who are abusing the system would help, he said.
Some supervisors said the language of the state measure and the local resolution needed to be clearer.
Amsterdam 4th Ward Supervisor David Dybas said the bill needs to be structured so the state pays for the testing and rehabilitation.
"I'm in favor of this as long as our representative and senators agree to put in the budget money to conduct the testing and the state pays for the rehab," Dybas said.
Amsterdam Town Supervisor Tom DiMezza agreed, saying it appeared little thought went into drafting the state bill.
Both men agreed the county should put a clause in their letter of support saying the state should provide funding for the measure.
A few supervisors were against the plan, saying the policy would be discriminatory.
Amsterdam 2nd Ward Supervisor Barbara Johnson said the plan discriminates against people who use public assistance.
"Personally, I don't think it's a good bill and I'm not going to support it," Johnson said. "This is the wrong way to go."
Johnson said if the state is going to test public assistance recipients, then others who receive money from the state also should be tested for drugs.
Amsterdam 1st Ward Supervisor Vito Greco agreed with Johnson, saying the bill discriminates against minorities.
Greco also didn't like the idea of paying for drug rehabilitation, only to have the person apply for assistance again.
The full board will vote on the matter at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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IKnooow
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07-16-08 11:52 AM
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I agree about paying for the rehab. I don't think it should be a state-funded thing. We'll clean them up so we can support them? If we pay to clean them up, I would rather get them a job afterwards. As for discriminating, I think if people getting public assistance have to be drug-tested, than anyone getting money through any state or county program should be tested.
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InnocentParty
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07-16-08 11:27 AM
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I would bet that MANY (not all) of the DSS recipents are DSS recipients because they FAILED a drug test by an employer!
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InnocentParty
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07-16-08 11:26 AM
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"Amsterdam 1st Ward Supervisor Vito Greco agreed with Johnson, saying the bill discriminates against minorities." Take a look around, Mr. Greco. The working taxpayer is quickly becoming the minority and most of our employers already do random drug testing. Just what minorities are being discriminated against, Mr. Greco? In case you haven't noticed, people from all races/nationalities are crowding the DSS offices!
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JUSTME2008
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07-16-08 11:25 AM
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I think it's a great idea for the most part, why would it be considered discriminating? A lot of employers are demanding drug tests before hire, what's the difference ? Your wanting an income right? I am just curious where the $$ will come from for the rehabilitations, it could be very expensive for the county/state. Are the tax payers going to have to foot that bill too? I know dumb question.
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InnocentParty
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07-16-08 11:23 AM
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Unfortunately this will never happen. I would LOVE to see the public assistance recipients get tested for drugs before getting assistance. I'm against the state paying for the rehabilitation though. Testing, yes. Rehab, no! If they test positive, send them away and tell them to come back clean, in 6 months. I guess those of us who work are going to get screwed either way. On second thought, why bother testing them if the only consequence is having to go to rehab at the State's expense. Stupid!
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StopTheFraud
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07-16-08 10:48 AM
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This is a no-brainer. If the public knew how many welfare recipients were also substance abusers(drugs), there would be outcry of epic proportions.
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