5 U.S. states have passed laws requiring welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. Canada does not currently test welfare recipients for drugs. Proponents argue that testing will prevent public funds from being used to subsidize drugs habits and help get treatment for those that are addicted to drugs. Opponents argue that it is a waste of money since the tests will cost more money than they save.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Province/Territory
Electoral District (2013)
Electoral District (2011)
Response rates from 82.9k Alberta voters.
75% Yes |
25% No |
69% Yes |
20% No |
3% Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positive |
4% No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse |
1% Yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians |
1% No, this is a waste of time and money |
1% Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 82.9k Alberta voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 82.9k Alberta voters.
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Unique answers from Alberta voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@4TWCVGR4yrs4Y
Stop treating drug abuse as a crime and treat it as a disease. Provide therapy that does NOT profit big pharmaceutical companies.
@4R4XY7N4yrs4Y
The test should be ultimately up to the person, but it should not affect welfare as it is basic and inhumane to revoke such rights especially if a person is abusing harmful substances. A test should be recommended and the government could lower taxing on homeopathic medicine if they should need to reduce welfare funding due to it costing excessive amounts.
@4T9GDHC4yrs4Y
Absolutely not. Irrevalent in any circumstances. Welfare IS ALREADY a prison sentence almost impossible to get out of.
All rents are more than what welfare gives in a month.
And stop criminalizing prostitution and low income drug dealers while we're at it as well.
This is what "This is a free country" means.
And our water is gold to other countries by the way. Need I have to remind you of what life in canada after ww3 will look like?
@8JM6B654yrs4Y
Those on welfare should be tested for the use of illegal drugs and terminate benefits when tested positive for illegal drugs in their system. I work as a security officer and have witnessed this benefit system abused time and time again by active drug users. They get their welfare checks and it goes straight to drugs. In a sense, it is enabling them to continue their habits if left unregulated.
@9ZKZVNL1wk1W
everyone should be tested. those who test positive should be transitioned to a medical assistance program for inpatient rehab or support systems (sober living, transitional housing etc.) which would be managed by a social worker within the home.
@9YK9SH92wks2W
Only for hard drugs such as meth ,crack etc stuff like alcohol, marijuana should be fine since studies show that minimal amounts of alcohol does nothing to the abilities of doing anything and same goes for marijuana it’s more of a mediocre drug, but things such as crack meth fentanyl etc makes you do things out of control of consumer , and aren’t as productive to society.
@9YHWCHT2wks2W
Yes, but only those under reasonable suspicion. Those testing positive for chronic drug use should then receive support and psychiatric evaluation.
@9TYS4TJ2mos2MO
No, but welfare should only last for a certain amount of time ( say 2 years) and then they have to go get jobs
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