Legalizing drug testing for welfare recipients

1. Legalizing drug testing for welfare recipients Kate Colella

2. Welfare History • Created by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 as part of the New Deal. • Programs resulted from the Great Depression and stock market crash in 1929. • Created to help the poor who couldn’t control the predicament they were in. • Welfare programs are funded by the federal and state governments. • “Welfare Reform” has taken place over the last 60 years with Congress implementing changes.

3. Current welfare statistics • 12.8 million Americans receive welfare benefits. • This is about 4.1% of the population. • $131.9 billion is spent every year on the benefits not including food stamps and unemployment. • In 39 state people receiving welfare receive the equivalent of more than an $8.00 an hour job.

4. Beginning of drug testing legislation • States began proposing drug testing of those applying for welfare or already receiving benefits in 1996. • Citizens and lawmakers proposed the idea to make sure money isn’t being spent on drugs. • Supporters think drug testing will give those dealing with substance abuse incentive to better their lives. • Americans should not be forced to support illegal habits since they work hard for money.

5. Pros of welfare drug testing • People don’t work to earn the money, therefore they need to prove they aren’t using money for drugs instead of necessities. • A majority of employed citizens are required to pass a drug test so welfare should have same requirements. • Drug use would decrease and result in a more productive society. • Make sure taxpayer dollars aren’t spent on drugs. • Help children in families live in a safe environment. • Give recipients incentive to stop doing drugs in order to receive support money.

6. Cons of Welfare drug testing • Some argue drug testing violates the fourth amendment against unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause. • Opposition argues that if a parent fails a drug test they won’t receive the benefits, therefore negatively affecting the children. • Welfare agencies have the power to take kids out of drug infested environments, so don’t make the kids suffer more by not giving them assistance. • Claim testing targets the poor from society’s point of view as being drug addicts or parasites. • It would cost more money to conduct tests rather than saving money on the program.

7. Process for drug testing • In Utah, applicants for the program are required to complete a questionnaire about substance abuse. • Those who show a high possibility for abuse are tested. • If they fail the drug test they are required to enter a substance abuse program to receive treatment. • Saves money on drug tests and for the welfare program. • 250 people in Utah failed drug screenings and weren’t allowed to receive benefits for three months. • The money in the three months these people would have received amounted to $350,000 which could have been spent on illegal substances.

8. States Proposing & Passing legislation • 9 states passed legislation to perform drug tests on applicants and those receive benefits. They include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah. • 29 states proposed legislation in 2013 with Kansas and North Carolina following through with the passage.