While on Twitter yesterday I came across a tweet that stated, "Beginning July 1st, the state of Florida will require drug testing before issuing public assistance." Interesting. I got my career start in Social Services beginning as a Case Manager, so I am fully aware of the disparities that plague the programs of self-sufficiency.
The real problem that I have is this....are we creating a different problem, perhaps a more severe problem? The individuals who unfortunately have to use public assistance are from lower income families. This is the demographic that is probably affected the most by the economic downturn that our country is facing. These are the individuals that have the odds stacked against them, limited education, poor housing, high crime, etc. Although I understand the crack down with the drug tests, are we looking to create a higher problem of crime. Without the "check" due to a positive drug test, can we see higher crime rates. Florida is known to be senior living retreat. Will this new policy invoke fear? Honestly, these are things that I tend to think about.
Perhaps we need to go back to the drawing board with regards t the crack down. We need a bigger view of the big picture.
No comments:
Post a Comment