Drug Testing Welfare Applicants are Costly and Ineffective

Drug testing aid recipients, is costly and ineffective. The administrative cost and drug test can cause, anywhere from $25-35. If an individual has to repeat the drug test, the costs will be increased as well. To avoid false positives, states such as Utah and Idaho require human services to administer repeated tests of split samples (Lewis and Kenefick, 1). Furthermore testing all applicants for drug use is not cost effective; as only a few applicants test positive for drugs. According to Arthur Delaney in “Welfare Drug Testing Catches Only 12 Users In Utah,” “the state prescreened 4,730 applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program with a written test. The state followed up with an actual drug test for the 466 of those whose written answers suggested a likelihood of drug use. The 466 tests have turned out 12 positive results, as the Associated Press first reported”[1] (1). This shows that, out of the number of applicants drug tested in each state, there may be a small number of applicants who actually test positive. Likewise, the cost to identify a drug user is $20,000-$77,000(Lewis and Kenefick).  Taxpayer’s dollars are being wasted on finding a small number of users, when most applicants test negative.

            When testing an applicant, it is difficult to determine if one is an occasional substance abuser or a substance abuser. Chemical drug test have more significant fault, as they cannot detect alcohol or prescription drug abuse, but reasonably only the specific chemicals for which samples are tried (Lewis and Kenefick, 2).  Likewise, determining how long it takes for drugs to leave you system; test can be proven ineffective. Although drug use can be problematic, it does not impose on one’s employment outcome. “In the state of Florida, TANF recipients who tested positive for drug use had income and employments in comparable levels to those who tested negative for drug use (Lewis and Kenefick, 2). This implies that those who test positive for drug use can still live a modest lifestyle. Furthermore, once one is taken off of drugs, he or she is able to improve their lives.

There should be alternatives to drug testing welfare recipients. The government should create benefit programs that aid in helping those who apply and are on welfare assistance, which will discourage the act of drug use. Therefore allowing those who are actively using drugs, to be able to come forward and get the appropriate help they need; such as free treatment.

Lewis, Matt, and Elizabeth Kenefick. "Welfare Programs Should Not Include Mandatory Drug Testing." Welfare. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Random Drug Testing of TANF Recipients is Costly, Ineffective, and Hurts Families." Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.

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[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/27/welfare-drug-testing_n_3822750.html

Blog Post 1: The Central Argument

As you know, many Americans depend on government assistance. Government assistance can be defined as, the help and support such as money or food given to the low class, poor or needy individuals and families. Notably, “food aid is one of the largest and fastest growing of the federal government welfare programs. Over the last four years, programs spending has doubled, reaching approximately &80 billion in FY 2012. More Americans receive food stamps now than any time in our nation’s history” (Sheffiel, 1). Despite this, many Americans on welfare assistance still struggle daily and go through many hardships. Providing food, shelter, and clothing and even financially stability are all obstacles, many low class and poor individuals endure.  

Currently, it is getting harder for individuals to receive aid, as many states are requiring mandatory drug testing for those who are applying for welfare assistance and food stamps. According to, Yamiche Alcindor in “State aid could be ties to drug test,” “23 states sleek to adopt stricter laws that would require public aid recipients to take drug tests. Florida law now requires all aid applicants to be drug tested while Arizona and Missouri require testing for anyone they “reasonably” suspect of illegal drugs. This shows that, if aid recipient tested positive, then he or she will be delayed in getting food stamps; likewise the family will suffer in addition. Many aid recipients will also be stigmatized as well. Furthermore, in Colorado Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, has proposed a bill which would require applicants in his state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, to pay for a drug test prior to government assistance. Not only is this time consuming but it will take money out of aid applicant’s pocket, as drug test cost can range from $8-12(Yamiche, 1).

While welfare assistance can be beneficial, welfare programs should not include mandatory drug testing. With reason, millions of lower class and the poor have relied on welfare assistance, as a stepping stone into become self-sufficient. To drug test millions of aid applicants would simply imply that the government is not doing its job correctly. Moreover, drug testing is costly to tax payers, and interferes with our privacy/puts children at risk. We will examine statistics, stories, and reason in further posts.

"Making food stamps more than a handout." Washington Times [Washington, DC] 10 Oct. 2013: A04. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

Alcindor, Yamiche. "State aid could be tied to drug test." USA Today 1 Mar. 2012: 1A. Global Issues In Context. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

                                    

About Me

The following pictures represent me !

My name is Arnalda. I can describe myself as a friendly easygoing person. 

I love African fashion. One day I have the hopes of creating my own boutique. 

Hanging out and sharing laughter with my good friends and my brother, is something that I love to do. My good friends and brother have always been there for me. 

God is important to me, so i try to live my life in a good way. 

Furthering my education and school, is also something that represents me.