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.