Lawmaker: Let’s drug test people receiving unemployment benefits

We know it’s tough out there

State Rep. Michael Harden would like every man and woman who’s out there looking for a job to please stop by the Department of Human Services once a year and pee in a cup.

The first-term Republican lawmaker from Toccoa has introduced a bill that would require Georgians who receive unemployment benefits, state assistance or “state-administered federal assistance” to undergo random drug testing at least once a year.

According to the legislation, a person who fails a drug test would lose his or her benefits. To become eligible once again, he or she would have to wait two years and then pass another drug test. The results would remain confidential.

Harden is scheduled to give a press conference tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. to give more details about the proposal. We’re interested in hearing what other types of assistance would fall under this legislation. Something tells us this might cause a little bit of controversy.