Comments about ‘My view: My view: Hatch's drug-testing proposal has flaws’

"Hatch should be commended for what he is trying to do..." I'm not so sure. For people already under stress due to lack of employment this adds just that much more pressure. We shouldn't ask (or demand) people do things unless we have first hand knowledge of what that involves. At the very least I suggest Senator Hatch take such a drug test to familiarize himself with what he is demanding.

There is an additional issue with this proposal: As far as I am aware, there are no easily administered tests that determine is someone is abusing prescription/legal drugs.

There is a story in the national section today on the fact that there are as many visits to ERs relating to abuse of painkillers and other prescription medications as there are for illegal drug use.

I cannot believe that punishing drug addicts financially would do any good at solving the illegal drug problem. I believe that the addict would turn to other, less desirable, means to obtain the money for drugs.

We should test for drugs. If found, the addict would have two choices, give up the suppliers name or go to jail. Jail being a tent city in the desert.

I also propose and support a mandatory death penalty for any and all people who make, sell, transport or otherwise promote the illegal drug industry.

Why not demand drug testing for ANYONE receiving federal funds, especially the folks who receive billions in "corporate" welfare?

And who pays for it? More taxes or more deficit spending? Maybe Hatch should do more to help people and do less to protect big business. Who does he represent? Certainly not the weak and less powerful of us, which means the majority of Utahns.

@ Ultra Bob: "We should test for drugs. If found, the addict would have two choices, give up the suppliers name or go to jail. Jail being a tent city in the desert.

I also propose and support a mandatory death penalty for any and all people who make, sell, transport or otherwise promote the illegal drug industry."

Yeah! Who needs that pesky 8th Amendment anyway!

(Although in all seriousness, I do agree with the first part of your post, "I cannot believe that punishing drug addicts financially would do any good at solving the illegal drug problem. I believe that the addict would turn to other, less desirable, means to obtain the money for drugs.")

The obvious counterpoint is that members of Congress should be drug tested before they are allowed to submit legislation.

Hatch is in the Pharm Corp pocket. He want's to make sure people buy their drugs, which have become more addicting then heroin, go ahead and try to stop taking your anti depressant or anxiety meds. Oxycotin's quite popular and deadly.

With 17 States approving Marijuana in some form as medication, isn't Orrin just trying to expand the federal governments power over states rights?

A normal lack of conservative logic. This is like changing the requirement to get a driver's license without think that there won't be the resources to do it. Utah and other state will pick up the tab for a unfunded mandate?

@ Moderate: Now that, I would support!

I agree that people receiving welfare dollars should be barred from using that money to buy drugs.

However, this plan is too costly and rather cumbersome to implement.

I back Moderate's plan; I would extend drug testing to all Congressmen and women. I also suggest psychiatric counseling for them. too.

We the People, I hope you mean Congresswoman, and not "woman" in general... ;-)







I find it ironic that you suggest psychiatric counseling.... All the psychiatrist would do is prescribe them drugs.

Lets test folks who receive Medicare and Medicaid too. Perhaps social security?

Senator Hatch,

I agree with you. Everyone who receives any help from the government should have to prove they are drug free.

As a parent, I would not give my adult age children (18 or over) any financial help if they were doing drugs? I would help them (if they wanted help) to overcome the drug habit first.

Then, and only then, would I consider helping in a financial way.

Why should the government be any different?

When you give money to a drug-user (or an alcoholic), you have wasted your money.

Sen. Hatch's proposal has more than flaws it is for his family's personal gain which is a conflect of interest. It had noting to do with his concern for We The People.
1) Remember Sen. Hatch stating he wanted all unemployed to be drug tested how much do you think drug testing over 5 million unemployed people would have cost and guess what his agenda is... His son Scott Hatch is a lobbyist for a Pharmaceutical company..who would have benefited from that??
Further the Pharmaceutical company makes substantial contrubutions to his Charity Utah Family Foundation. Sen. Hatch is a multi millionaire and is out for his own financial gain.
He is totally out of touch with We The People who live paycheck to paycheck that is why he did not vote to extend unemployment dates. That is why we waited 4 - 8 weeks with no money and he did not think this was a problem for us. He needs to be voted out of office. Give the positon to someone who needs the Money...someone unemployed