Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Copyright: 2011 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159 Author: Sun Sentinel Editorial Board SCOTT NEEDS TO END ALL NEEDLESS DRUG TESTS The Issue: Gov. Scott Suspends Employee Drug Tests Give Gov. Rick Scott credit for suspending his order to require random drug tests of all state employees. Scott would now be well-advised to do the same for the meritless order requiring anyone seeking state welfare assistance to submit to and pay for a drug test. Why Gov. Scott suspended the drug tests for state employees "" whether it was concern over a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, or whether he just realized the foolishness of the crusade "" is open for debate. What's not debatable is the order for so-called "suspicion-less" drug testing of all state employees is offensive, and ripe for legal challenge. The ACLU, which insists it is going ahead with the court challenge, said the federal Constitution protects against blanket drug tests by government. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against "suspicion-less" tests in Georgia, and courts have also struck down other attempts by cities to impose random drug testing of employees. With the suspension of Gov. Scott's order, now only the Department of Corrections will be allowed to go ahead with drug testing of employees. The ACLU is also expected to challenge Gov. Scott's grandstanding ploy of pushing through the welfare drug testing law. The bill may be cheered on by Gov. Scott's tea party and ultra-conservative base, but it is offensive. It essentially tells people who are either poor or out of work that the state considers them to be potential drug addicts. Initial drug screenings are expected to cost $10, but one estimate said the drug tests could cost as much as $40, no small amount to people who already are having trouble making ends meet. Also, previous research by the state of Florida found no connection between drug use and financial need, a fact which didn't seem to matter to Gov. Scott. The governor, who seems to have a fixation with drug testing for no logical reason whatsoever, would do well to suspend the mandatory drug tests for welfare recipients, before the courts tell him to do it. BOTTOM LINE: Get rid of drug tests of welfare recipients, too. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart