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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