Douglas Weatherly

Prof. Schroeder

English 101

15 November, 2015

Outline

            Thesis statement: Government financial assistance should not be extended to those who cannot pass a drug test because it only hurts the economy in doing so.

I.                   It is unfair for a person who must pass a work related drug examination to be taxed to support people on drugs.

A.    Those who work and support themselves are more heavily regulated than those who do not work.

B.     Those who do not work are not regulated beyond the basic guidelines of the programs that support them, which are minimal compared to a working environment.

II.                Supporting those on illegal narcotics allows them to continue their chemical dependency.

A.    When not required to modify their lifestyles or overcome their addictions, they are allowed free reign to increase the frequency or severity of their substance abuse.

III.             Aiding those who are already dependent only serves to make them more dependent.

A.    If not required to work, most people will choose not to work to support themselves.

B.     As the individual’s needs and desires increase, so does their dependence on government programs to provide for these needs and wants.

C.     When the government needs more money to provide additional support, taxes are raised to provide the money required for support programs.

D.    With raised taxes, there is less money available to working individuals for products and services, which hurts the economy.

IV.             Government support of those on drugs is no different than direct support of the illegal drug trade itself.

A.    If the government is paying for housing of these individuals, they can use the money they would have otherwise had to spend on a residence on drugs.

B.     If the government is paying for food assistance, the money these individuals would have otherwise had to use to eat can go to supporting their addiction.

C.     The drug trade is fought strongly by the government, but to little avail as they inadvertently fund at least part of the illegal activities that they try to keep from happening.

V.                While people who are addicted to drugs do need help there are better options than supporting them financially.

A.    Instead of supporting them financially, they could be placed in government operated rehabilitation programs.

B.     If the government were to deny support to those on drugs, they would be more likely to try and heal so that they could qualify for the help they desire.

C.     Once rehabilitated, any individual on federal aid could then be helped to find self-sustaining income, which would benefit the economy by creating a means for profit vs. a drain.