See, this is something that only a lack of experience with a specific disease or condition, I would say. And I will say that I agree with much of the premise of getting people on assistance away from drugs and alcohol, but there are many forms of assistance. Some of which are cases that are just extreme, and it's quite unfair to think that those people need to be drug tested. And while I hear your example of being tested in the military, that was your choice. And you were asked to carry out missions of extreme life or death. It was for your best interest, without question, to test you for those things.
I can also understand that you feel it's in our country's best interest to do this also for those on any type of assistance, but I think there needs to really be a sensitive attempt to at least try to understand the rights of people in special circumstances that are not on drugs, and still quite uncomfortable with this idea. Some people could not survive without some form of assistance, and to them it's basically a way of intruding on their lives, for something outside of that person's control, only to send the message of fear that assistance that means the difference between a roof and no roof, it just almost seems like terrorism. Especially where many of these people have conditions that make it ridiculous to think that they would even get into drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
And I'll be specific, just to hope to explain further. But I have a very rare muscular disease, and I struggle to even reach the 90lb mark, and I have limited physical ability. I have been prodded my entire life by people who have 'opinions' about why someone is that thin, and why I should feel guilty about it. People have literally approached me at my vehicle in a parking lot because of my condition (mostly because human beings are natural skeptical, and naturally have negative reactions to things outside of their experience). I am thankful for everyday that I'm alive, and for the life that I have. But I make sacrifices just like everyone else. I give all that I have just like everyone else. And I just want to have a fair presumption of who I am, without all of the demoralization that happens to people with disabilities when they have to live a life of constant scrutiny.
People want to talk about not wanting the Gov't in your lives. Try living with a condition that makes you stand out like a soar thumb. That's all I'm saying. I make the most of my time and resources, because who knows what my future is with my disability. That's not to ask for sympathy, but people should try to understand that not all people are the same. I just expect that I can be given the benefit of the doubt, when my reason for needing assistance is literally outside of my control, and complete nonsense to be compared to predispositions that would lead to drug/alcohol abuse.
