Thread: Florida bad at math

Originally Posted by JDJarvis

so 2% of those tested under a new law requiring drug testing before receiving temporary assistance benefits have been found to be using drugs according to the test.

1,000 people
Tested at a cost of $30.00-35.00 each is an average of $32.50 per test.
98% aren't doing drugs so Florida picks up the tab for a grand total of $31,850.00

The 20 people who will be denied $233 in benefits a month saves the state $4660.00 in benefits they don't have to pay out.

But testing cost $31,850.00 minus the saving of $4,660.00 in benefits denied has a total cost $27,190.00 .

The state of Florida loses $27,190.00 per 1000 people tested.

Way to go Florida...nothing like improving confidence in the government and welfare system by increasing the cost to the public.

Florida welfare drug tests largely are clean | The News-Press | news-press.com

It's such a shame the authoritarian goons who force people to submit to their will are so bad at math.

First off, I do not believe the 2% figure. I suggest that the deterrent could be the threat of a test, so users stay away from welfare programs. Sounds good to this taxpayer.

Secondly, I would imagine the State of Florida could negotiate a quantity discount with a lab for a better price. Here is a company that offers a urine drug test for $2 each. Drug Test Kits - $2 each. For Marijuana, Cocaine, Urine Tests for Illegal Drugs.

If you are high, you can't find or hold down a job. Florida should think of this as an investment. When a State worker brings up a computer file marked, "Failed Drug Test 7/22/11" this should be a sign to discuss rehab, not food stamps.

I did like your phrase 'authoritarian goons,' I think it is an overstatement. Wouldn't 'bureaucrats nailing freeloaders' be more accurate? Of course it would.

Originally Posted by JDJarvis

It's 1,000 among 53,000 so far (not everyone in the state). As they test more the numbers may indeed shake out differently.

I wonder what the results would be if they only did the tests right after the 1st and 15th of the month...

...might the results "shake out" differently?

That's another question. I don't believe the testing was "random" in any sense. It seems you get tested when you apply. Basically, it's like they say with a job application drug test. If you get caught, you're the dumbest person around.

Basically, I think what we're getting at, JDJarvis, is that for most people it's not unreasonable to drug test people on welfare.

Originally Posted by C-B-M

Uh, right, but your calculation only took ONE month into account and then portrayed that as the "total" savings. That's clearly false. In fact, if you want to go on odds, it's far more likely someone will be on for the full 48 months than for only one month. I'm also willing to bet money on that.

So they are only going to test them once? Every applicant/recipient in that program is going to avoid drugs for 4 years? Testing once sure doesn't seem very effective does it?

Just stay clean long enough for initial testing and then party on.

Originally Posted by Latterbach

Secondly, I would imagine the State of Florida could negotiate a quantity discount with a lab for a better price. Here is a company that offers a urine drug test for $2 each. Drug Test Kits - $2 each. For Marijuana, Cocaine, Urine Tests for Illegal Drugs.

But they didn't. Saving money wasn't the idea really was it.

I did like your phrase 'authoritarian goons,' I think it is an overstatement. Wouldn't 'bureaucrats nailing freeloaders' be more accurate? Of course it would.

Of course, people with substance abuse issues are never hungry...

Originally Posted by JDJarvis

So they are only going to test them once? Every applicant/recipient in that program is going to avoid drugs for 4 years? Testing once sure doesn't seem very effective does it?

Just stay clean long enough for initial testing and then party on.

See, now you're demanding more testing. But if I agreed, then you'd simply jump again and say "yeah, that's going to cost more!"

Basically, you're just trying to use any tactic you can to demand that people be allowed to use their drugs. I can sense you're a libertarian, which is great, but you guys really go nuts over your drugs.

Originally Posted by Carrie

I agree....of all the people I know who are on assistance, none of them are beating the street trying to find work. They are sitting on their butts hoping that a high paying, easy job will come their way. (obviously there are exceptions, but I don't know any.)

I've got people calling me damn near every day looking for a job.

This isn't 5 years ago when anyone who wanted a job could get a job.

Originally Posted by hairballxavier

I wonder what the results would be if they only did the tests right after the 1st and 15th of the month...

...might the results "shake out" differently?

Could be amusing. Certainly more expensive.

Originally Posted by JDJarvis

But they didn't. Saving money wasn't the idea really was it.



Of course, people with substance abuse issues are never hungry...

I think it would be saving money if we cut off welfare to high freeloaders. If there is a $2 a pop drug test available on the internet, (as I have provided), I think someone in Florida State purchasing will probably look into the cost factor.

There really is not enough information to calculate cost savings, but these days in government saving money is more important than our wars.

Originally Posted by Latterbach

I think it would be saving money if we cut off welfare to high freeloaders. If there is a $2 a pop drug test available on the internet, (as I have provided), I think someone in Florida State purchasing will probably look into the cost factor.

So if it's about saving money why do you figure they haven't found a $2.00 test to do the job for them?