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Florida Gov Signs Welfare Drug-Screen Measure; Takes Action Against Hallucinogenic "Bath Salts"

Welfare Drug-Screen Measure
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed legislation that would require adults who apply for welfare assistance to be drug tested. Scott lead with,"It is unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction." The Governor hammered his point home by stating, "It's the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance and we don't want to waste tax dollars and we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs."

The Law will be in place on July 1, 2011. The legislation will require the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to drug test adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The adult who applies for assistance will be responsible for the cost but would recoup in their assistance if they qualify. Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children.

Banning of Hallucinogenic Designer Drug "Bath Salts"
Governor Scott also signed a measure outlawing hallucinogenic designer drugs known as "bath salts." Scott said, "The chemical substances found in 'bath salts' constitute a significant threat to health and public safety," Scott's office stated that the "Poison control centers in Florida have reported 61 calls of 'bath salts' abuse, making Florida the state with the second-highest volume of calls." The governors office offered that "The drugs are readily available at convenience stores, discount tobacco outlets, gas stations, pawnshops, tattoo parlors, and truck stops, among other locations."

Mobile Medical Corporation, a Pittsburgh Drug Testing Firm recently posted a blog about the banning of designer bath salts in New Jersey.  The blog can be read here.

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