Mandatory Drug Screening Research Paper

Drug problems costs the US billions of dollars every year from disease, crime, accidents, child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and lost wages that causes deaths and other serious economic and social consequences (Hunter). The crimes include stealing, drug trafficking, murder, robbery, domestic violence, breaking and entering, child abuse and neglect, and assault. Health care problems, such as overdoses, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, are often results of substance abuse. Requiring drug testing of TANF recipients who are at risk for drug abuse is a step in the right direction to help addicts overcome addiction, gain employment, and become responsible citizens in society. It also helps efforts in the long term to deter drug abuse costs of healthcare, law enforcement, and prisons where addicts usually resort to crime to support their habits.

In an effort to end homelessness in Washington, DC, low barrier shelters, such as the Harriet Tubman Woman’s Shelter were implemented. Located in the center of DC General Campus in Southeast, DC, the Harriet Tubman Woman’s shelter, “is a 100 bed low-barrier emergency shelter for women over the age of 18 who are in urgent need of housing, food or case management” (Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, Inc., 2010). A low-barrier shelter is “usually primarily short-term shelter for individuals. Low-barrier shelter is designed to keep people safe, is often open only 12 hours a day, and is often in a congregate setting. This type of program is provided, on a first come, first served basis, to any adult presenting as homeless. It is sometimes also referred to as emergency shelter” (Interagency Council on Homelessness District of Columbia, 2010, p.4) For all shelters in the Washington, DC area the women are to be out of the shelter from the time of 7am until the doors open again at 7pm. For those women who are not a part of the work program or have nothing to do during the day, the women have a chance to participate in the day program located in the shelter.

The United States has many welfare programs, such a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), that provide social welfare payments to those in need. Welfare recipients statistically have a higher potential to use illicit drugs, making it more difficult to secure a job. Often, these benefits are abused by drug users those who lack the ability or motivation to find employment and become self-sufficient. Incorporating drug testing into the welfare systems allows the government to provide those with drug addictions the needed treatment and suspend the benefits from those who continue to use drug and test positive after treatment. In the long run, there will be a costs savings

In March 2016, the state of West Virginia (WV) passed House Bill 2021. This bill was developed to combat drug use among the poverty level population who depend on government benefits to provide for their basic needs. This bill was first developed with the understanding that every recipient would be required to drug test at the time of application for services. Through the process of legislative committees, the bill has changed to reflect that an applicant will only be required to test should the case manager feel that they are exhibiting the signs of drug use. At this time, the state of WV is working to develop policy to match the requirements of the new law.

The Task Force Against Family Violence (TFAFV) started in 1978 providing direct services to women and children of domestic violence. TFAFV provided shelter to victims using local motels in the area. In 1982, the Women’s Shelter of New Hanover County (WSNHC) started and provided shelter to women and children of domestic violence. Over a three-year period, 1982-1985 women and children received shelter from the Women’s Shelter while TFAFV provided direct services. The Coordinating Council of the Junior League of Wilmington assisted the merger of the two organizations in 1986 forming Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc. (Agency Manual).

Substance abuse has made a major impact on the lives of women. In the past, using drugs was normalized and not considered abnormal because it was used to calm mothers and wives from the overbearing workload that was expected by them. Drugs for women was something that was ordinary for them and it was even shown in the media, there were advertisements that promoted the use of drugs and what type of drugs to take. However, when the War on Drugs commenced it took a toll on the women who were abusing these drugs. The War on Drugs targeted mostly women, resulting in a 108% increase of women incarceration rates. Since this war, there are outstanding numbers of addicted incarcerated women. A majority of these incarcerated women

The topic of mandating regular drug testing for those on welfare is very controversial. It seems too one-sided to say that those who do drugs are the only people who should not be allowed welfare. There are many other ways that people might abuse their need of welfare money in illegal and unethical ways. Also, with the ever-increasing demand for welfare it seems more cost prohibitive to conduct regular drug testing on those who receive welfare. There is also the possibility of the drug test being compromised or destroyed due to human corruption. Instead, we should put more focus on the advancement and use of technology to monitor how welfare money is being used.

While other shelters might screen out the intoxicated, the active drug users, the ex-offenders, or those with

It is believed that the VAWA is gender neutral and provides a number of shelters for victims of domestic abuse. However in some cities there are not many shelters for male victims and they are usually not accepted in women’s shelters. Even though there are programs for male victims provided by the VAWA, women are the main focus of the policy.

Eric, I found your point about standardizing drug screening for pregnant mothers interesting. In my opinion testing for drugs could be a beneficial preventative strategy. Testing for alcohol use early on can prevent damage to the fetus. Also, testing will allow mothers the opportunity to receive help. The only negative outcomes of standardizing drug screenings are the cost and doctor- patient relationship. Drug screening expecting mothers can be expensive, but the cost to care for a infit addicted to drugs is more. Drug screenings can also effect doctor- patient relationships. If drug screening were standardizing the relationship would change to doctor- patient- police relationship.

Evaluations provide important information throughout all the stages of the drug-free workplace program initiative. Evaluations also provide measurements that can provide an effective program.

In the article titled “Should Colleges Be Allowed to Enforce Mandatory Drug Testing…” Linn State Technical College in Missouri implemented mandatory drug testing for all students as part of the general admissions process. Linn State Technical College explains their reasoning behind the drug testing as part of their mission to “prepare students for profitable employment and a life of learning”. Lawsuits have been filed against the college stating that the students Fourth Amendment rights have been violated. One of the main reasons school officials stand by the mandatory drug testing policy is for the students who are enrolled in programs that involve operating of heavy equipment.

Literature implies that employee drug use in the workplace may create high costs to firms in the form of lower productivity, increased absences, and an increase in workplace accidents. As a response to these costs, employers have implemented a variety of policies and programs to decrease employee drug use. Educational programs and standards such as “Zero Tolerance” policies, employers have turned to drug testing programs more in the past decades. About 46 percent of American workers report that their employer conducts drug testing, although other sources indicate that 90 percent of Fortune 200 companies use some type of drug testing (Flynn 1999). The factor behind workplace drug

Workplace drug testing is important from the perspective of employees as well as employer as it benefits both. Studies show that there are beneficial results at workplace. This article discusses briefly the benefits of this measure.

The use of criminal restrictions for drug related crimes is not always an entirely punitive tool, and that penalties, or even the threat of them, often urge individuals struggling with addiction or substance abuse to get the treatment they might never seek or receive on their own, therefore increasing their opportunities to become productive members of society. In fact, more than one-third of all treatment referrals in the U.S.