Senator wants Ohio lawmakers tested for drug use

Cleveland Democrat says if they state wants to test welfare recipients for drugs, lawmakers should be held to same standard.

State lawmakers have debated drug testing welfare recipients several times in recent years, but a bill introduced Tuesday would require the legislators to be tested for illegal drug abuse.

Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, introduced Senate Bill 212 to protect taxpayer dollars and provide treatment options for people dependent on illegal drugs. She said the bill has the same goals as another as another bill that would test welfare recipients.

“I find it quite discerning that power is being abused to put a bull’s-eye on poor people assuming, stereotyping them that they abuse drugs at a high rate because they receive food stamps or cash assistance from the state,” Turner said.

Under the proposal, lawmakers would be screened for exhibiting signs of drug abuse once each year or more if selected during four random drawings each year. Lawmakers who test positive would be removed from any office or chairmanship and not receive pay until they test clean. They would be required to complete a drug and alcohol abuse program offered for state employees.

Turner said she's following the same logic as a bill introduced by Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster. Schaffer's bill would screen and drug test applicants to Ohio Works First, which provides cash benefits to Ohioans who earn no more than 50 percent of the federal poverty level for up to 36 months.

Schaffer told the Columbus bureau he supports Turner’s idea and signed on as a cosponsor.

“I’m in favor of any drug testing program for anybody who’s benefiting from state resources, be they salaries or whatever,” Schaffer said, adding he wouldn’t be opposed to drug testing CEOs and officials of companies that receive grants from the state.

“The taxpayers of Ohio expect their money to go to good, worthy causes and we want to make sure that we don’t have contractors or employees who are doing their jobs under the influence of any illegal substances,” Schaffer said.

Turner introduced a similar bill in 2011. In March 2012, Turner introduced legislation that would require men seeking Viagra prescriptions to first undergo a series of tests and require doctors to inform men of all the risks associated with the popular drug treating male impotence.

“These bills divide — they paint certain people as ‘the other’ and we don’t need that,” Turner said. “Nobody wants to be on welfare.”

About the Author