Do drugs? No dough!

Sometimes common sense rears its beautiful head at the statehouse. Rep. Kasha Kelley (R, Ark City) is advocating for a bill requiring random drug testing for adults applying for or receiving cash assistance from the state.

From this article in the Capital Journal, Kelley "deflected harsh criticism last year accompanying her sponsorship of legislation, rolled into House Bill 2275, designed to improve oversight of aid distributed by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Agency officials estimated 3 percent to 8 percent of those in the targeted assistance programs would test positive for marijuana, cocaine, crack or some other illegal drug. Kelley said legislators should stand up for the well-being of children in homes where drugs were abused."

The plan is for SRS to establish drug testing for recipients of Temporary Assistance to Families and General Assistance. About one-third of people in these programs would be screened annually.

Kelley said the state had an obligation, especially in the downtrodden economy, to hold adults accountable for use of tax dollars and to actively direct violators to treatment programs.

It's so sensible thinking anything else would be just silly. But of course the politically correct other side thinks it's "crazy and mean" to test "poor people." Seriously? If you're poor and need government aid, there's a few hoops to jump through anyway, and it's not asking too much to be sure you're clean before we write you a check! If these poor people are feeding their drug habits with the money we as taxpayers provide to them, they're not using that money to feed and clothe their children.

To me, THAT's crazy and mean.

I hope this bill makes it through.