From Michael Harden’s website, Georgia House of Representatives:The legislation I introduced will require recipients of public assistance to submit to at least one random drug screen every year. Upon the first positive the person will lose their benefits until a negative test is taken. Upon a second positive or failed screen, the person will lose their benefits for a period of two years.
This is the first bill of its kind that will not be a cost to the taxpayers, but a cost that the recipient pays for out of their benefits. The test will cost less than $25 and spread out over the year will result in $2 per month deduction from benefits. This will hardly cause some to “go hungry” as has been suggested by critics.
This legislation will not affect any children under the age of 18. We will not allow the children of this state to fall between the cracks because of mistakes of their parents. Our hope is that no one receiving tax payer dollars is spending them to subsidize illegal drug activity, but if they are they need to be identified so they can get treatment. read more
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