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.