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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart