Georgia’s Political Cudgel Against the Poor: Drug Testing

by Seth Freed Wessler on July 10 2012, 9:49AM

Georgia followed Florida’s example in forcing safety-net recipients to get drug tests, despite the fact that neither law is likely to stand up in court. Why? Because actual policymaking was never the point.

Topics: Drug Tests, Economy, Politics

9496 Comments

Infographics: Mapping the Drug Testing Meme

by Hatty Lee on July 10 2012, 9:46AM

Georgia’s law forcing welfare applicants to get drug tests was put on hold this month, pending resolution of a legal challenge to a similar Florida law. But the same debate has unfolded in state legislatures around the country.

Topics: Drug Tests

9512 Comments

Georgia Asks Employers to Rat Out Job Seekers Who Fail Drug Tests

by Seth Freed Wessler on June 5 2012, 9:25AM

The state’s one of several that’s using hyped up fears about drugs to weaken unemployment insurance programs.

Topics: Drug Tests, Economy

9287 Comments

Why Tea Party Lawmakers Are Trying to Conflate Poverty and Drug Addiction

by Seth Freed Wessler on May 7 2012, 10:07AM

Since 2010, a new meme has spread to dozens of states: Drug testing people who apply for safety net benefits. The goal is to change economic debates into a culture war over who does and does not deserve help.

Topics: ALEC, Drug Tests, Economy, Jobs Crisis, Politics

9092 Comments