Welfare Drug Testing Essay

Is it fair that in order to obtain a job, some people go through drug testing while drug and alcohol abusers receive free, no strings attached, financial assistance (see appendix A)? Food stamps and Medicaid are provided to low and no income Americans who would otherwise do without. According to heritage.org, a majority of the illegal drug use in American adults is tied to unemployed citizens. While there are many people who disagree with testing welfare recipients, the truth is that the pros greatly outweigh the cons. The long term improvements that drug testing will have on the country are substantial. The wellbeing and stability of America’s children, unemployment, fairness across the board for all Americans and the economy; all play

The process of drug testing individuals who are applying or receiving welfare benefits has recently become the focus of a widely spread controversy. Florida, the first state to pass the law, now requires all individuals applying for public assistance to undergo drug testing. The state of Kentucky, among others, have considered following this trend. State lawmakers hope to prevent the squandering of taxpayer dollars on drugs by proposing similar guidelines. Alabama’s states representative Kerry Rich clearly affirmed his state’s position on the matter, “I don’t think the taxpayers should have to help fund somebody’s drug habit” (qtd. in Time).

Although some people do not believe that people should get drugs tested for welfare. There is some people who think that drug testing welfare recipients could lead to efficiency. A survey found that 53% believe all welfare applicants should be drug tested before receiving benefits (Covert and Israel) . Welfares should check client's record. If welfare has a client that had used any type of drug before should be

Finzel, Rochelle. "Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients and Public Assistance." NCSL. Ed. Rochelle Finzel. National Conference of State Legislatures, 27 July 2015. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.

Drug abuse is a huge epidemic in America, and we need to come for all angles to try and stop it. One of which can be from the welfare side. Drug testing is thought to decrease drug abuse with people on welfare. If people know that they have to pass a drug test to be able to get money for their necessities, it may encourage them to never use in the first place. It also might help them realize they have a problem and help give them a reason to get clean. This is important because an addict needs something to drive them to want to get clean, and knowing they will not receive government assistance if using can be a huge reason to be clean. Also drug testing will make the state aware and available to help the welfare recipients. The Mayor of New York Rudolph W. Giuliani says, “ Welfare recipients who test positive for drugs would be required to enroll in a drug treatment program or join a waiting list for treatment to keep getting benefits.” In Rhode Island a law bans recipients who fail a drug test from getting welfare for a year, unless they complete a substance abuse treatment successfully. Once they do complete treatment they can reapply after six months. Both of these states are giving people that fail a second chance, and maybe their only chance.

The numbers do not lie—little evidence exists that supports the claim that drug testing recipients will save money. Striving to prove that the main source of the drug problem in the United States lies in the recipients of the welfare program, policymakers continue to work fervently. The overgeneralization of the poor as drug users has become common practice in Washington. Lawmakers seem to feel that because recipients receive government funding, they in turn give up their constitutional rights as U.S. citizens. The practice of criminalizing the poor has become commonplace in the creation of U.S. governmental policy.

With 35.4% of Americans on welfare, and the U.S spending over 131 billion on welfare annually, not including food stamps. People have been looking for a way to cut the costs of welfare for many years. And then Welfare drug testing was proposed. At initial thought it seemed like a grand idea and a great way to cut costs and to eliminate all the drug users in the system, and because of that welfare drug testing has been put into action in 13 states. But, welfare drug testing is completely ineffective. Welfare drug testing should not be allowed because it violates the rights of the welfare recipients, it is stereotyping and discriminating against people on welfare, and it is expensive and ineffective . For all these reasons mandatory

When the United States’ welfare program was created during the Great Depression, it was meant to temporarily relieve the burdens of the one-fourth of American families who were unemployed, and struggling financially. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Social Security Act in 1935, then amended it in 1939 to create programs to assist families with unemployment compensation, and to create government agencies to oversee these programs, including Health and Human Services. The purpose of the welfare program was to provide short-term assistance to families in need while they got back on their feet, and found new employment. It was and is still funded by the hard-earned money of American taxpayers. Since that time, government assistance programs have progressed to the point of serving 49.2 percent of the population according to 2011 statistics, released in 2014.7 Of those receiving benefits, approximately 20 percent have been on the program for over five years. These facts go against the initial purpose of the welfare program as a temporary crutch. Studies have shown that about 20 percent of welfare recipients have tested for, or reported illicit drug use (although, those numbers vary and can be higher, based on the testing method used). Taxpayers should be aware that their taxes are funding these drug users’ illegal lifestyles. Therefore, drug testing should be a mandatory

This paper will explore the pros and cons on the issue of drug testing welfare recipients and applicants. The journals and articles used to determine whether drug testing is necessary or a hindrance to public assistance applicants, recipients and the government vary in their argument on the effects of those who receive assistance. The study, completed by Anderson, Shannon, Schyb and Goldstein (2002) determined that, due to the change in Welfare reform in 1996, the disruption of benefits increased the risk homelessness and usage of drugs and alcohol. Montoya, Bell, Atkinson, Nagy and Whitsett (2002) studied the differences in 442 female welfare recipients’ psychological and employment well-being based on chronic use or non-drug usage. Morgenstern and Blanchard (2006) argue that the changes in welfare reform may significantly reduce the amount of drug using recipients and applicants on welfare and increase in substance abuse programs. This paper will examine statistical data, recommendations by the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights and the studies of Anderson et al. (2002), Montoya et al.(2002), and Morgenstern et al.(2006) to bring to light the varying conclusions made over the last 13 years, 2002-2015, as to the effectiveness and ineffectiveness that drug testing may have on welfare recipients and applicants.

There have been several states that have attempted to start some sort of drug testing program. This overview of programs was provided by “Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly”. Michigan and Texas enacted system that would refuse aid to recipients that failed a drug test while applying for a job, but did not require employers to administrate drug test. Wisconsin attempted a similar bill that required employers to submit any failed drug test whether or not the person was on welfare or not in hopes of catching any current or future applicants of welfare. In 2003 TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) passed a law that all Michigan applicants were required to take drug test prior to acceptation. Along with Florida that tried the same thing. Missouri implemented a process that would only

Why do people that are working have to pass a drug test while those on welfare do not? This is the question that is causing a lot of debate across the country and throughout congress. Many working class Americans are outraged at the current welfare policies and believe something needs to change. There are always going to be people on government assistance who are abusing the system and who are using drugs while not working. Something needs to change so we can actually help families who need assistance, not those who are abusing drugs and the system. Therefor, I believe that states should require drug testing of all individuals on welfare since those who are supporting them have to pass a drug test.

With a new president, and many policies and procedures changing in the government systems, it has recently been brought to many people’s attention how certain recipients in government assistance programs do not use the money correctly. As a result of that many now believe that everyone on government assistance should be drug tested. The welfare system can provide cash, food, housing, medical care, and targeted social services to poor and low income Americans (Duffy). Drug testing the recipients would ensure that no one was receiving aid that was using any type of illegal substance. This is a very controversial issue in today’s society and has both sides fighting hard for what they believe in.

Stephanie Larsen explains in her article “Should We Drug Test Welfare Recipients?” that in 1986, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, the government proposed drug testing in the workplace as part of War on Drugs. “Although a number of states proposed the drug testing of welfare applicants and recipients following the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, most of these proposals stalled in state legislatures [until 2011]” (Should We Drug Test Welfare Recipients). According to the article “Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients and Public Assistance” in 2009, over 20 states suggested to legislation that drug testing would be required in order for the person to be entitled for public assistance. Although, in 2010 this idea was eliminated because it was sought to be unconstitutional due to the fact of drug testing without a

The first thought I had when I heard the topic of whether or not welfare recipients should be drug trusted was that it would be interesting. My second opinion was that no we should not drug test welfare recipients. I understand that some people are on welfare do drugs, but it’s a really low number. I do accept my first opinion that came into my head.

Have you ever thought what would happen if the people who receive government assistance had to be drug tested prior to receiving help, like many who must be tested to keep their job? Many people must go through drug testing to get a job, then after they have it, they may be selected to be randomly tested again to keep their job. There are people down on their luck or going through a rough patch where they need to receive government assistance, nothing but an application needs to be filled out prior to receiving payment from the government. Drug testing for government assistance and how it may benefit the state budget is at the forefront of many news stories. Types of government programs available for different assistance, laws causing