Comments on: ACLU Files Suit Over State Employee Drug Tests

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:54:14 +0000

REGARDING:
“You all act so republican small government, and all that crap but you want government to control some people just not you.”

I’m pretty sure denying employment and benefits to drug users would result in smaller government–fewer people involved. Further, it wouldn’t be taxing people to throw their money down a rat hole of drug abuse.

Consider the humanitarian tack: users needing help will have to give up harmful drugs. If they give up harmful drugs, they are less likely to need assistance–because they’re more likely to be able to get and hold a job–and be healthier.

Conversely, if they use the money intended to help them for drugs, the government is paying for their destructive behavior. That’s not very neighborly. is it?

I’m not a Republican but can see a case for the testing.

Interesting contrast, assuming all non Republicans are Democrats is also assuming all Democrats want drug users to be able to draw public benefits even if it kills them. Surely not all of us Democrats are so cold-hearted.

David wondering

By: BPD

BPD — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:21:54 +0000

Kathy,

Sit down, roll one up and chill for a while.
If you are going to take their money, be it by paycheck or handout, you have to play by their rules. We all have to give some to get some, thats life.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:25:48 +0000

Oh yeah, the 60 year receptionist at the dept of commerce is going to make you unsafe. The typist at AHCA is going to hurt all of us and make us unsafe. Once again you claim to be small government lovers but you want drug testing for everyone which is not cost effective or even intelligent.

By: 06FLSTCI

06FLSTCI — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:24:14 +0000

The ACLU is a bunch of losers, protecting losers. They should be sued and disbanded for all the wrongs they have committed against the general public. Get a life, get a grip, and get over it.

By: BarrineauParkDad

BarrineauParkDad — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:20:02 +0000

It has nothing to do with anyones privacy or rights. It has everything to do with the cost of operating and safety of the employees and pubic being served. Dopers and drunks have and will have increasingly more medical issues, than the remainder of the population. This drives up the cost of group medical insurance offered by the state, county, and/or private enterprise. They also take more sick days, driving up the cost of operation, as they usually still get paid and the work doesn’t get done. One who is impaired (high or hungover) is far more likely to have an accident, causing injury to their self, a co-worker, or an innocent bystander. Again driving up the cost of operations via lost time, emergency room cost, workers compensation, lawsuits and/or settlements.

It is about money. If a business is to stay in operation, they must minimize expenses and maximize profits. The state is no different. The states business model may not include profits, but they still have to minimize expenses to maximize services. The savings incurred as a result of a healthy, safe and productive workforce, far out weigh the cost of drug testing.

I have a good private sector job and I am willingly to and do pee in that cup every time I am asked to. If you can’t handle it, you can always haul scrape metal, hang sheet rock, dig ditches or whatever job you can find that doesn’t require a drug test;

BPD for a safe and productive workplace

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:54:10 +0000

When mandatory drug testing was instituted for the military in 1985 (along with HIV testing), we heard no hue and cry raised by the ACLU or anyone else. I had no problem with it then and have no problem with it now. Too bad the ACLU has long since lost any true credibility.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:41:44 +0000

Hang in there Gov. Scott.If you never step on toes you aren’t going to accomplish very much. Maybe when you get the State of Florida cleaned up you can go after the ACLU.

By: Trish

Trish — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:18:45 +0000

Kathy: Good for you, I never thought of it that way! Yes I am a government employee and I am so tired of people saying “they pay my salary”. It is usually said by an individual when they are not getting their way. So yes – - all of Wal Mart, Sales Clerks, Office Workers, Plumbers, etc. etc. I pay your salaries too! And in case you are wondering, I had to have a drug screen to get my job.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:42:33 +0000

Perhaps the issue is the right to privacy, the right to determine who gets your bodily fluids and for what purpose. If you allow business to determine your privacy that is of your concern. I agree that state employees and those applying for benefits should not have to submit to a urine test. You all act so republican small government, and all that crap but you want government to control some people just not you. By the way we all pay for your salary if you work for a business, you must sell or do something for someone? Two faced!!

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:31:20 +0000

To all the government employees and public assistance recipiants: I work in the private sector and have been subject to drug screening as a condition for employment and random drug screening to maintain that employment for over 25 years. This means I pay your salery and am FED UP listening to you complain
about having to follow the same rules as the private sector. Most of the state agencies would be more cost effective and efficient if they were subjected to these rules anyway.