Kentucky requires drug tests to get prescriptions

This story isn't just about ever-expanding War on Drugs fanaticism, but also The Media's failure to do its job.

Kentucky passed a law recently called H.B. 1 - so numbered because it was considered so important that it was the session's first bill. The law was touted as a powerful and necessary tool to wield against pill mills that unscrupulously promote prescription drug abuse.

Unfortunately, nobody bothered to read H.B. 1 - until it was too late. One of the roles of the professional media is supposed to be investigating and exposing facts. But this time, the press failed miserably at this task - as it so often does. Now it turns out that this new law contains a mortal sting: It requires all Kentuckians who have long-term prescriptions to take a drug test in order to get refills for their medication. Each drug test costs patients hundreds of dollars - and insurers won't cover the tests because they're not medically necessary.

Most of those affected by the new rule are elderly or disabled. Doctors who do not comply get their medical licenses revoked.

The new drug testing policy clearly violates constitutional protections against due process and unreasonable searches. Folks shouldn't be considered guilty until proven innocent. Of course, I'm sure these points are lost on defenders of a system that's ignored the Constitution in plain sight for decades.

If it's any consolation, state regulators are already talking about abolishing the drug test requirement in January. But that may be too late to stave off a lawsuit.

(Source: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/27/2352733/drug-tests-required-by-new-law.html)