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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEconomyStarted 11yrs agoActive 1wk ago

Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?

5 U.S. states have passed laws requiring welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. The UK does not currently test welfare recipients for drugs. Proponents argue that testing will prevent public funds from being used to subsidize drugs habits and help get treatment for those that are addicted to drugs. Opponents argue that it is a waste of money since the tests will cost more money than they save.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 124k UK voters.

49%
Yes
51%
No
38%
Yes
40%
No
8%
Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positive
6%
No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse
2%
Yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians
4%
No, this is a waste of time and money
2%
Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 124k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 124k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BF22TLRanswered…1wk1W

No, monitoring should be a punishment for people who have committed a crime, not something that you get just for being poor.

 @BD2BPWHanswered…2mos2MO

Yes if you have reasonable suspicion

 @BCQLGJManswered…3mos3MO

Only if there is a legitimate concern that taxpayers money is being used to purchase.

 @BCP5PGWanswered…3mos3MO

Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positives. Repeat offenders should be temporarily blacklisted from welfare

 @B9FBZY6answered…5mos5MO

No, drug use is a symptom of poverty and unemployment and this would take support from those who often need it the most.

 @B6KNRDRanswered…10mos10MO

Yes, but provide treatment options for those testing positive - charity & government-mandated insurance for every citizen would alleviate many of the issues of social welfare programs

 @9XFQG2Ganswered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only if the recipient has a recent history with drug abuse.

 @9Q83HSWanswered…2yrs2Y

No..its infringing on rights and choice for those with mental capacity even if I don't agree with drugs

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 124k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/1405748003

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