Pubdate: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Contact: 2003 West Hawaii Today Website: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Author: Laurie Heller Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Note: To read about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii . WELFARE, ALCOHOL AND ICE IN HAWAII Editor: Anyone applying for welfare should submit to mandatory drug testing. I read where the state of Hawaii has received millions of government money to help with the ice problem here in Hawaii. I don't think it is realized that the government is helping users buy these drugs in the first place, as many users are purchasing the drugs and alcohol with welfare money to begin with. Check with and visit the local bars at the first of the month. Even they will tell you business booms when the welfare checks arrive. What is wrong with drug testing all welfare applicants? Are the liberals afraid that this would be a "rights" issue? Just think of the money that would be saved in the long run, if drug and alcohol testing were implemented. Something to think about, as I certainly don't want my tax dollars being wasted on ice or booze, then even more of our tax dollars being used to rehabilitate the very people we enable in the first place. The welfare system is overly abused in this state. I thought Florida was bad until I came here. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. I have been here only three years and the mentality here is disgraceful at best. Not too many people are willing to work, although they are more than capable. On many occasions I have tried to hire people to work and they either never call back, or don't show altogether. Just about everyone I have met is either on workman's comp and/or welfare though one can clearly see they are physically capable of working. I have come to the conclusion that half the classifieds entered in the newspaper are a fictitious cover to perhaps prove to the state that they are trying to work in order to continue their benefits. Every time I have contacted people who claim to do yard service, etc., I never get a returned call - or they just don't want to drive to Ocean View, even though I offer to pay whatever it is they ask. I think they just prefer to sit back, and collect the welfare that is so easily placed in their mail boxes each month. Guess my family could try and milk the system, too, but I was just not brought up that way. I was "taught to fish," so to speak. If anyone has another reasonable answer to change my opinion of this issue, I'd sure like to hear it. Laurie Heller Ocean View - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk