Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients Essay

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Essay
The history of social welfare can be traced back to ancient times, but the time most influential to the start of social welfare programs in the United
States occurred during the great depression. In 1935, then President Theodore Roosevelt introduced the Social Security Act. This act guaranteed
pensions, unemployment insurance, and help for children and the disabled. The Works Progress Administration was also put in to place and helped
unemployed people find jobs (HISTORY.COM–New Deal). A proposition to mandate drug testing for recipients has been brought up in more recent
times, namely by Governor Rick Scott (R) of Florida. This move has raised the question as to whether or not it is ethical to deny American citizens their
right to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Welfare recipients would be required to purchase their own drug test, and only if the results came back negative would they be reimbursed. In the case
of a failed drug test, first time offenders would not be eligible for welfare benefits for a full year or until they received treatment. If a welfare recipient
failed more than one test, they would not be eligible for benefits for three years under this new Florida law (Shahid 2011). This bill was immediately
met with opposition. Howard Simon, the Executive director of the ACLU in Florida stated, "The wasteful program created by this law subjects
Floridians who are impacted by the economic downturn, as well as their families, to a humiliating search of their urine and body fluids without cause or
even suspicion of drug abuse...Searching the bodily fluids of those in need of assistance is a scientifically, fiscally and constitutionally unsound policy.
Today, that unsound policy is Florida law." The Florida Department of Children and Families, as well as Florida legislature defended such a measure by
saying that money would be saved in the process, and that the testing would keep money from being used for the wrong purpose. DCF spokesman Joe
Follick said, "The taxpayers deserve to know that the money they are spending is being used for its intended purpose. In this case, with [temporary cash
assistance], the purpose is to help families
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Essay On Welfare Drug Testing
The Possibility and Effects of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
One of the many goals of the American Welfare System is to provide financial assistance to U.S citizens who are unable to support themselves.
Government funds are provided in hopes that many of these able bodied citizens will eventually find a way to become financially independent and
economically productive. However, there is a percentage of welfare recipients that use their government funding to purchase and abuse illicit drugs.
When welfare is abused in this manner, the system loses credibility and the long–term goals of seeing financially self–sufficient citizens, and economic
progress on both micro and macro levels, are not only compromised, they are regressed by the negative impacts of illegal drug use. The most common
(and commonly debated) method of weeding out citizens who choose to abuse the welfare system is enforcing mandatory drug testing on all welfare
recipients. This method is an ongoing controversy involving elements of legality, economics, budget analysis, a violation of rights, the allocation of
government funds, and discriminatory stereotypes of welfare recipients. Regardless of the diverse array of fundamental complexities involved with
executing or rejecting this preventative procedure, most Americans' opinions are simply based ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Their studies show various results, and their opinions are manipulated by their ideology and how they believe these policies could potentially affect the
future, which cannot be verified by data because they are applying their statistics to a hypothetical situation. Many of their qualitative statistics, data,
and firsthand knowledge has led them to assume what the widespread implications of drug testing welfare recipients will lead to, but they do not appear
to possess a solid equation that will predict the outcome of the

Research Paper On Welfare Drug Testing
Implementing Drug Testing into the Welfare System
The United States has many welfare programs, such a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that provide social welfare payments to those
in need. Often, these benefits are abused by drug users those who lack the ability or motivation to find employment and become self–sufficient. As a
result, several states have attempted to implement drug testing as a requirement to receive benefits. Proponents of drug testing believe that
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 drugs and test positive after treatment. They also claim that in the long ... Show more content on
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Setting a time frame for recipients before they are drug tested has been shown in research by Perter Muenning to motivate recipients to find
employment or receive treatment for any addiction to avoid risking having their benefits removed. Those who test positive would be required to receive
treatment or have their benefits removed, which helps to reduce costs to the welfare system. The time restrictions on drug testing persuade recipients to
actively seek employment or find addiction consoling before the welfare system drug tests them. Implanting this system would drastically reduce costs
by motivating a majority of the recipient and only actually drug testing a few.
Author Ilan Wurman argues in this his publication, that drug testing to apply for welfare violates the fourth amendment of the constitution so changes
must be made to the current system. A failed testing program in Florida required all applicants to complete a drug screening test before receiving
benefits and the cost of the tests are paid for by the applicant, but reimbursed if the test results are negative. Wurman concludes by stating that suspicion
less drug testing of government assistance recipients in

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients 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 ...
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Furthermore, the concern is directed to the wellbeing of the children of the recipients who do not fulfill program requirements. Thankfully, the NCSL
also explains that those who are deemed ineligible for not completely the programs can "designate a protective payee to receive benefits on behalf of
the child(ren)"(National Conference of State Legislatures, 2014). In summary, drug testing welfare recipients will enable families to do two things: feed
their children and get help for the parent or guardian who is abusing substances. Another issue that is greatly affected by the abused welfare programs is
unemployment. The unemployment rate goes beyond the lack of available jobs in the U.S.; unemployment also falls back on the individuals without
jobs. While there are many unemployed Americans who do everything in their power to find a job, there are also several who abuse the system.
Heritage.org reports that of the adults reported to be using illegal drugs, a majority of the users were unemployed. As seen in Appendix 3, 17.5% of
adults using illegal drugs in 2010 were also unemployed. Additionally, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, severe
barriers to unemployment were experienced by substance abusing women by more than double of those who do not abuse substances. Not only would
tax payers and the

The Drug Of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
Drug Testing Welfare Recipients To test or not to test has been has been the question at hand for many states that are dealing with whether or not to pass
the law that welfare recipients should or should not be drug tested in order to receive assistance from the government. Florida was the first state to
mandate the law in 2011 and thereafter twenty four other states in the last year have also passed this law in our own state of Oklahoma being one of
them. Although alcohol is legal it is abused far more than marijuana or hard core drugs, According to the 1996 study by the National Institute of
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism the differences between the proportion of welfare and non–welfare recipients using illegal drugs are statistically
insignificant. Although some states have decided to pass the law for welfare recipients in order receive government assistance, I believe it's ineffective
to drug test these welfare recipients in order to receive their benefits. Welfare in the United States commonly refers to the federal government welfare
programs that have been put in place to assist the unemployed or underemployed. Help is extended to the poor through a variety of government welfare
programs that include the Women, Infants, and Children Program, which is referred to as WIC, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
commonly known as TANF and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Drug testing welfare recipients is negative because drug tests performed on
welfare

Mandatory Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients
United States lawmakers face one of the most pressing issues of our time–welfare reform. New screening processes, often considered a direct violation
of constitutional rights, have already been enacted in many states. Strong evidence exists, asserting that the practice of administering drug testing to
welfare recipients will cost the U.S. taxpayers more money in the long run, stigmatize applicants and participants, and serve only the purpose of making
the pharmaceutical companies more powerful. In order to protect the constitutional rights of potential welfare recipients, United States lawmakers
should avoid further criminalizing the poor by submitting them to drug testing and/or a nationwide welfare registry.
This year, 29 states have ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
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.
Karen Gustafson is someone who knows a lot about the criminalization of the poor. She has spent much of her time researching and writing about just
that. According to Gustafson, "The public desire to deter and punish welfare cheating has overwhelmed the will to provide economic security to
vulnerable members of society (644)." Because of the misuse of welfare funds by a few, the entire underprivileged population has been targeted as
criminals–as lazy, drug abusing sponges. Over the past several decades, the United States government has spent billions of dollars in an effort to catch
and prosecute those who are abusing the welfare system. This practice is necessary in order to rid the welfare system of

Mandatory Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients Essay
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).
A decision to implement mandatory drug testing may be an imperative step for preventing welfare ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Many question this policy. Worrying, the majority of people who are applying for state benefits may not have the ability to cover the upfront expense.
Therefore, needy families would go without food.
While there are many benefits to passing this law, we must consider the other possible problems and solutions as well. Selling food stamps for drugs is
not the sole issue at hand. Welfare abuse comes in many forms. Until recent changes in identification verification practices by physicians and medical
centers, Medicaid fraud was also an ongoing issue. People without medical coverage would often borrow the medical card of a friend or family
member, and then go to a doctor or dentist. In other words, it was not diligent auditors or highly mandated policies that reduced Medicaid fraud. In fact,
the meticulous works of insurance companies are responsible. Today, physician offices place a patient's photograph in the chart. Verifying the patient's
identity helps certify insurance claims are filed on behalf of the actual member. As a result, the state's Medicaid program benefited from this much–
needed change.
The more widely recognized form of welfare abuse, practiced for decades, occurs when people sell food stamps for cash. In the eighties food stamps
were in the form of coupons and assigned a monetary value. It was

Drug Testing
Mandatory Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients
Introduction
Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients is a controversial issue. Should the government hold people accepting government entitlement's
accountable for illegal drug use or would this type of action cross the boundary of civil liberties into an invasion of privacy? The government has a
vested interest in getting welfare recipients back into the working population. Holding welfare recipients accountable for illicit drug use only ensures
the government's monetary investment in human resources is protected. Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients would be beneficial to the state
despite its initial cost to initiate the program.
There are many benefits of Mandatory ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Many citizens thought Florida was the first state to require drug testing for welfare recipients but they were not. "In 1996, Congress said states could
test welfare recipients for illegal drug use. In 1999, Michigan instituted mandatory drug test for all welfare regardless of suspicion. But this kind of
testing was struck down in as unconstitutional, discouraging other states (Bowers, 2011)." In 2010, shortly after taking office, Florida's Governor, Rick
Scott proposed a bill to mandate blanket drug testing for all state cash assistance programs. In 2011, Florida became the first state to pass and fully
implement a bill mandating suspicion less drug screening for all applicants after Michigan's legal loss. Many people feel the remaining employees are
being held to a higher standard than those on welfare. The American Civil Liberties Union has declared mandatory drug testing by the federal
government on welfare recipients intrudes on the rights of poor citizens. Yet, most working class citizens have to take drug tests in order to maintain
employment. Nearly every profession in the private sector requires drug testing. New hires at

Welfare Drug Testing Essay
To test or not to test has been has been the question at hand for many states that are dealing with whether or not to pass the law that welfare recipients
should or should not be drug tested in order to receive assistance from the government. Florida was the first state to mandate the law in 2011 and
thereafter twenty four other states in the last year have also passed this law with our own state of Oklahoma being one of them. Although alcohol is
legal it is abused far more than marijuana or hard core drugs, According to the 1996 study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
the differences between the proportion of welfare and non–welfare recipients using illegal drugs are statistically insignificant. Although some states
have decided to pass the law for welfare recipients in order receive government assistance, I believe it's ineffective to drug test these welfare recipients
in order to receive their benefits. Welfare in the United States commonly refers to the federal government welfare programs that have been put in place
to assist the unemployed or underemployed. Help is extended to the poor through a variety of government welfare programs that include the Women,
Infants, and Children Program which is referred to as WIC, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families commonly known as TANF and
Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
Drug testing welfare recipients is negative because drug tests performed on welfare recipients is not an accurate

Drug Testing For Welfare
Due to welfare recipients abusing their advantage, Tax payers want to drug test the users of welfare.
Drug Testing welfare recipients would insure to the tax payers that their money is not going to waste. Staying off drugs would insure that the parents of
welfare kids would not lose their benefits, so drug testing would prevent any loss of benefits for the kids and their benefits. Drug testing would prevent
illicit drugs in the poverty class by showing if a recipient did show positive for their drug test, they would lose all their benefits
Drug Testing recipients will save Tax Payers money, by not having to pay more taxes for more recipients, it will, in the long term save taxpayers
money. This will teach recipients not to do drugs again. A ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
As Lombardo says, "Many people need to be drug tested in order to have gainful employment and a regular paycheck. If it is a normal part of life for
the vast majority of a country's population, then the system of testing is already in place to add welfare recipients into the regular testing cycle." Every
year local, state, and national government programs offer low–income households the opportunity to make impoverished peoples needs to be met.
These welfare systems have a 3% abuse rate where recipients use their benefits for alcohol and illicit drugs. To maintain compliance with program
regulations, drug testing would have to be in the

Persuasive Essay On Welfare Drug Testing
Welfare recipients losing their benefits over drugs. In two thousand and twelve more than one–fifth of the U.S. population, or 52.2 million people,
received some kind of means–tested public assistance every month. How many of those recipients do you think are using the assistance for illegal
substances? Seven states already have welfare recipients drug testing to keep their benefits. These seven states include Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Welfare drug testing is an officiant way to make sure the aid is being used properly. Although most
people pass the drug tests, some also fail. Those failing people then lose their aide. Welfare money is not for drugs, it's for keeping up with your bills
and families needs. Welfare recipients should have to be drug tested to continue getting their assistance. Not only is drug screening going to assure the
money is being used properly, it will also help the welfare recipients using the illegal substances. It will give the statistics a key incentive to seek help
so they can once again be healthy, support their families, and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Most of the time it's mandatory for a job. How is it okay to test people who work for their money, but not people who don't? If you can afford to buy
drugs, you can afford to buy groceries. So many professions and corporations require drug–testing for their employees. When it's required no one gets
upset about it. But the minute someone tries to convince state legislation to mandate drug testing of welfare recipients, everyone gets up in arms and
says it's unconstitutional. What's the difference there? If I have to take a drug test to get a job to get paid so I can support you, shouldn't you have to
take a drug test to ensure me that you're not wasting my hard earned money? The answer is yes. Everyone is always asking where the equality is, here it
is, we should give equal drug

Mandatory Drug Testing Should Be Banned
Introduction Mandatory drug testing has been and ongoing controversial issue over the most recent years. Mandatory drug testing has been subjected to
students, athletes, and employees all over the country. However a lot of speculation has been made whether or not welfare recipients in particular
should be subjected to mandatory drug testing. According to Besonen, programs such as welfare were created in the 1930s to temporarily aid struggling
Americans to help get them back up on their feet. (Besonen, 2014). Government assistance at that time also offered incredible medical benefits and this
is also around time is when the "war on drugs" was declared. At the height of todays society, it is no longer temporary nor shot term. Some Americans
have resorted to a long term dependance on governmental aid by means of survival in todays economy. Welfare Recipients must be held accountable for
this "handout" from the government. Mandatory and random drug testing welfare recipients would serve its purpose in discouraging drug use in return
for government incentive. This research paper will examine several aspects regarding mandatory and random drug testing of welfare recipients. First
we will discuss the War on Drugs and how mandatory drug testing welfare recipients can serve within America, its drug addiction problem. Then we
will look at mandatory and random drug testing from an economic point of view and decide whether or not the Fourth Amendment should apply.
Finally we will

Should Drug Testing Welfare Recipients?
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of controversy over whether or not those who test positive for drugs should be able to receive welfare. It
was an argument that flooded social media, arguments filling comments with opinions. It is a subject that continues to be discussed within our peer
groups, our communities, and our states. This paper will discuss the opinions of individual's within the country, the beneficial factors of drug testing
welfare recipients as well as the unbeneficial factors, as well as who decides if drug testing welfare recipients goes into effect or not. So what are the
opinions of the individuals within the country? It's a very controversial topic within the states, and people have very strong opinions regarding drug
testing recipients of welfare. There aren't many with a 'middle' opinion. They normally take one side of the argument. People who passionately believe
anyone who receives welfare should be tested, and there are many people who swing the complete opposite way and essentially believe that it's
unconstitutional. The main argument for those who want this drug testing to take place is that it would save taxpayers money (Miran, 2015). They feel
that by drug testing applicants and/or receivers of welfare, they will weed out those who are drug abusers. That being said, their money wouldn't be
'wasted' on those who 'don't deserve it'. They also somehow feel that if this policy were put into place, people wouldn't abuse drugs. They

What Are The Arguments Against Welfare Drug Testing
Jorge Navarrete
Mrs. Mackenzie
English IV
23 February 2016 Welfare Drug Testing
Drug testing people on welfare, would they be asking themselves whether it is right or wrong? If some do believe that drug testing people on welfare is
right, then they would not be alone or incorrect. Welfare drug testing is a very controversial topic, there are many people debating fiercely on both sides
of this heated argument; they debate about whether testing is necessary and if it is unconstitutional on the case of probable cause. Some people
sincerely believe that it is malicious, that it violates on the privacy of the recipients, and they are extremely against even the notion of drug testing
recipients; many people stand on the opposing sides of this ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
"Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients: Pro." The Concordian. Ed. Mark Besonen. Concordian, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Feb. 2016.
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.
Player, Candice T. "Public Assistance, Drug Testing, and the Law: The Limits of Population–Based Legal Analysis." Public Assistance, Drug Testing,
and the Law: The Limits of Population–Based Legal Analysis. 40.1 (2014): 26–84. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.
Price, Michelle L. "Utah's Welfare Drug Testing Saved More than $350,000 in First Year, Officials Say." Deseret News. Ed. Michelle L. Price.
Associated Press, 8 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.
Rector, Robert. "Debate Club Welfare Programs Should Promote Self–sufficiency." US News. Ed. Robert Rector. U.S. News & World Report LP., 15
Dec. 2011. Web. 11 Feb.

Welfare Recipients Summary
Drug Testing Welfare Recipients In his article, "Should Recipients Be Tested for Drugs?" David Vitter talks about the issue of drug testing people who
are on welfare in the US. Vitter believes that annually drug–testing recipients of welfare will stop people from using the money to support their drug
habits. He further believes that those who are using drugs and test positive as a result can then get the help that they need. According to Vitter, testing
for drugs will accomplish two main goals. The first goal is to help those recipients with drug abuse problems realize they have a problem and to offer
them a treatment program in order to keep their welfare benefits. The second goal of drug testing would be to make sure that jobless Americans would
not use taxpayer dollars to purchase illicit drugs. Vitter feels that there are certain people who are receiving welfare, and they are misusing the program.
Removing welfare recipients or even having them to enter a rehabilitation program and successfully complete it in order to receive help that they need,
will save taxpayer and the government billions of dollars. He also feels that the rehabilitation program will help create a better life for those that
complete it and want to stay on welfare. Legislators in at least eight US states want recipients of food assistance, ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The welfare system is designed to support those that are in need. The welfare system should not be abused or misused and failure to comply will be
grounds for termination. Drug testing welfare recipients, is it an infringement of rights and should it be mandatory for everyone that receiving or will
receive assistance? This subject is up for debate as to whether or not it violates welfare recipient's constitutional rights. If it should be implemented,
would it help saving tax dollars and government spending and stop welfare

Essay about Drug Testing For Missouri Welfare Recipients
On 30 January 2011, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill and sent it to the senate that would require drug testing for those receiving
state Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) funds. Funding from food stamps, medicare, and public housing would not be affected by this
bill (Keller – House). According to Columbia Tribune reporter Rudi Keller, the bill is very similar to the Arizona law which is the only other state that
tests welfare recipients. Missouri and Arizona would use a questionare and interview which would determine which applicants to test. The two states
are also similar in their caseload of 45,017 people on assistance in Arizona and 42,885 in Missouri. The state would not be obligated to provide
treatment ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
According to Keller's article, the law would protect children. It would discourage parents from using drugs which would create a better home
environment. It would also ensure that state money would be used for supporting families, not recreational drugs (Keller). Rep. John McCaherty said
"The bill will show the state expects TANF recipients to be responsible with public money." (Qtd. in Keller). The idea behind those that support this
legislation is that the state is responsible for ensureing that taxpayer's money doesn't ultimately end up buying illegal substances and drug testing is an
effective means to ensure this. As with all political issues, there are those on the other side of the fence. People oppose this legistlation for various
reasons: from constitutionality to cost. According to a study done by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), welfare recipients are no more likely
to use drugs. Furthermore, placing a requirement to be tested may place a stigma upon those receiving welfare which would be counterproductive to
their relief (Drug Testing). An editorial by Henry Waters in the Columbia Daily Tribune, the bill is the government attempting to punish a class of
people who are presumed worthless (Waters). Another reason people oppose this legislation is the cost. The ACLU study reports the average cost of a
drug test at $42 per person. There are less invasive and cheaper methods to

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
When talking about the subject of drug testing welfare recipients, there are many standpoints, coming from a variety of people with political interests
and differences as well as cultural backgrounds and living situations.
Random drug testing welfare recipient has yet to become a law because the government is going back and forth over this issue and has yet to come to a
conclusion if it is constitutional or not. There are issues about how to implement the process and how the American taxpayer are going to respond to
this issue and to what end will it will come of it.
Many people may agree that drug testing people who are on or will become welfare is a great way to stop misuse of the system. Drug testing is one way
to accomplish this, and their reasoning may be well founded. It not unheard of, that there are people abusing the system by selling or trading their ...
How will this mandate affect everyone in the household, Will the innocent suffer, or could it perhaps be a deterrent and help the family? These are the
issues faced with trying to pass a mandate for random drug testing of welfare recipient.
Vitter served on the following Senate committee, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Vitter went on to receive
his J.D. from Tulane Law School in 1988. He understands how the political system works and has the experience to help make changes that will
improve the welfare system.
In his article, "Should Recipients Be Tested for Drugs" by David Vitter talks about the issue of drug testing people who are on welfare in the US. Vitter
believes that annually drug–testing recipients of welfare will stop people from using the money to support their drug habits. He further believes that
those who are using drugs and test positive as a result can then get the help that they

In 2010, 17.5% of unemployed adults collecting some sort of welfare failed drug tests. In 2011, 23.8% of welfare recipients admitted to using illegal
drugs, including marijuana. The problem the United States if facing is that welfare recipients are using the cash they are given to purchase illegal drugs.
Many of these people purchasing illegal drugs had prior illegal drug abuse problems and some of these people believe that since they are given this
"free" money, they can continue on with these addictions instead of finding the help they need to get back onto their own two feet. Many employers ask
all of their job applicants for a drug test to even be considered for the job, so why shouldn't the government ask the same for people looking ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Arizona was the first state to establish a temporary requirement for the fiscal year of 2011–2012 followed by Florida and Missouri. There are a lot of
companies that require any job applicant to submit a drug test. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 66% of substance
abusers age 18 and older were employed. Employers spend between thirty and fifty dollars per test per person. Employees find that substance abusers
increase employee turnover which end up costing them more money in the long run because of the cost of training. The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration conducted a study in 2007 that said substance abusers change jobs as often as three times a year. Employers that require
drug testing saw a 16% decrees in employee turnover rates. Another reason an employer may require drug testing is because people with no substance
abuse problems are more productive. People with substance abuse problems are also 2.5 times more likely to call into work. Companies who require
drug testing also saw a 50% decrease in workers compensation clams. So in the long run, employers end up saving a lot of time and money by drug
testing all job applicants. If 60% of employers are requiring job applicants who pay thousands of dollars a year in taxes to take a drug test, shouldn't the
government be requiring the same drug testing for people who are receiving welfare money? Many tax

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients 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.
Drug testing welfare recipients has been an idea since 1996 when congress changed the welfare system and allowed for the possibility to drug test
applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. There are several benefits to being able to drug test ... Show more content on
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One major argument is that it wont affect the parents receiving welfare, but instead the children. Approximately 81.5 percent of those receiving (TANF)
have children. With that many having children, they are bound to see the biggest impact of drug testing since the money is supposed to pay for food,
clothing, and shelter. Some say that it will cause children to struggle and possibly go hungry. Another reason that some people are against drug testing
welfare recipients is that it will cost more than it saves. Such as in Florida where drug testing actually cost the state money. Each drug test cost around
thirty dollars and with so many applicants it ended up costing the state forty–five thousand dollars (Greenblatt). This is a lot of money that could have
went back into the program. These are two of the several reasons that some are against the testing of welfare

Drug Testing : A Controversial Issue Right Now
RUNNING HEAD: Mandatorily Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Does More Harm Than Good Mandatorily Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Does
More Harm Than Good Clare M. Pitlik Marist High School Author Note First paragraph: Introduction to history of drug testing welfare recipients
Second paragraph: Explains why drug testing welfare recipients is unconstitutional Third paragraph: Explains why drug testing welfare recipients is
costly Fourth paragraph: Rebuttals Fifth paragraph: Conclusion on why drug testing welfare recipients is unnecessary
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Abstract
Mandatorily drug testing a controversial issue right now. Mandatorily drug testing welfare recipients is wrong for many reasons. Not only is it
unconstitutional but it also very costly. It adds to the debt that the USA already has. Drug testing the recipients is unnecessary and not needed.
Keywords: unnecessary, unconstitutional, drug testing
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Mandatorily Drug Testing Welfare Patients Does More Harm Than Good The question of whether or not states should mandate drug testing for citizens
receiving welfare benefits from the government has been one of the most discussed changes proposed to state legislatures. Many states have introduced
bills and proposed legislation

The Issue Of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients And Applicants
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.
Keywords: Drug testing, welfare reform, welfare recipients and applicants
The Pros and Cons of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients and Applicants
In recent years, many

Welfare Drug Testing Should Not Be Allowed
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 ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
This small bit of information should be enough for the government to stop the because it breaks one of the key laws this nation was built on, yet they
still have it is action. Supporters of Welfare drug testing might say that it is completely unfair and unjust that often before people can start working they
have to submit a drug test, but people on welfare don't have to to receive government handouts, but it a completely different situation because all of the
businesses that require employees to take a drug test are privately owned. Drug test are needed to insure that employees can be relied on to do their job
such as police and army. Welfare is different because it is managed by the government which is not allowed to do drug tests because of the fourth
amendment. Finally, welfare recipients should have the right to not tell the government everything about them when they apply for government
handouts. As Judge Stanley Marcus, said that "Citizens do not abandon all hope of privacy by applying for government assistance." (Amy Sherman)
Everybody deserves the right to privacy, even people applying for welfare as the quote says they have the right to have some privacy and to not be
forced to take drug tests and to get bombarded by random checking by the government. Another reason that welfare drug testing should be banned is
because it is based off stereotypes and discrimination. Welfare drug testing is stereotyping because many of the people who support

Drug Testing Essay
There is a big question floating in the air around a lot of people today,
"Is drug testing the welfare constitutional or not?"
When dealing with this we come to many road blocks. We should know and understand the difference in a drug use problem and a psychiatric disorder.
Also understanding the difference in substance abuse and substance dependence. Confusing the two could be an issue. When you decide to drug test the
welfare there is much more that needs to go into it than just the test to determine if you should receive benefits from the state or not. Think about the
rights we have as Americans have. Drug testing the welfare can bring legal problems, such as due process. There have been states who have tried this in
the past but of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The housing assistance that the welfare provides doesn't have the same restrictions but can deny a person because of a drug related or criminal activity.
TANF which is a program that provides cash assistance to needy families. The state is permitted to drug–test these recipients. Although the states must
have a "reasonable suspicion" of illicit drug use in order to perform the test. TANF and SNAP are two very closely related programs. Administrators
have tried to limit assistance to only "worthy" families. The definition of a worthy family has changed over the years. In the past it was based on a
families morals. As where today it is base on crime and drugs.
"The goal should be to develop effective, predictable, and fair systems that identify, monitor and help recipients who experience the full rage of
obstacles to self efficiency"
Celia Goetzl, author or "Special Need or Unconstitutional Condition?" discusses that consent, the Fourth Amendment is the key. She says "The court
has dealt with the problem of consent as a waiver of constitutional rights with an "unconstitutional conditions" analysis." This just means that a person
would be denied the right of receiving welfare benefits for exercising their Fourth Amendment right. Their goal is to focus on "welfare to work." Trying
to make people use welfare assistance as a platform and eventually be able to not be dependent on it. The fact is that

Essay about Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
Drug Testing Welfare Recipients: Unconstitutional
"A closed mouth doesn't get fed" is a saying that many people have heard throughout life. This saying was brought about to encourage people to ask for
help if needed. But what happens when the open mouth asked to be fed, and instead of receiving help they are forced to be demeaned by going through
a rigorous process that assumes that all applicants fall in to the category of drug addicts? Guilty until proven innocent is the message conveyed to
persons requesting these services. Millions of dollars are spent each year on federally funded programs that are considered "welfare". The types of
services these programs offer include TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SNAP ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Another clause in this bill states that if the applicant participates in a substance abuse program and does not test positive for at least half a year, they
may continue to receive entitlements (Kelly, 2013). While the general opinion is that drug testing applicants will lower the number of recipients
defrauding the government, most of the analysis that have been conducted for a one to two year timeframe show little improvements on the number of
personnel receiving welfare benefits. In fact, most have shown that only a small percentage (2%) of recipients are failing the drug screening (Grovum,
2014). In other studies, such as the one conducted in Utah, documented that well over $30,000 was spent administering drug test to applicants
(Grovum, 2014). The results showed that only 2.6% tested positive for illegal substance use (Grovum, 2014).
For one to be forced to complete a drug screening, merely because they are asking for government assistance is unconstitutional. The fourth amendment
of the United states Constitution states: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized" (Goldman & Cheeseman, 2011). This Amendment was put in place to protect citizens
from warrantless

Public welfare is the term which stands for the variety of tax–supported programs that provide cash assistance or services to residents who are not able
to financially take care of themselves (Hansan, 2011). This program was started in the 1930's during the Great Depression. There are several types of
welfare including health care, food stamps, child care assistance, cash aid, and housing assistance. Medicaid is considered to be one of the welfare
programs; it is a medical care that provides cash income assistance for the poor ("Medicaid", 2002). Recipients must meet multiple requirements that
are established prior to receiving aid. The requirements include low income, child dependency, family size, and any crisis situation such as pregnancy,
unemployment, and medical emergencies (Welfare Information, n.d.). As of today, some states require welfare recipients to get drug tested when
applying for financial benefits. Arguments arose whether the test should take place or not. Many people believe that the government should not drug
test welfare recipients because unpleasant consequences occur. Not only does drug testing recipients create chaos in the U.S. bureaucratic system, it
also labels the recipients, creating stigma and deviance especially if the test comes out positive. Welfare recipients are being discriminated by society
and this may lead to knowledge gaps between the underclass and other social classes which creates a caste system. Many negative effects take place as

Welfare Drug Testing
Trevor Brooks,
SOC 110
11/09/2011
In today's America, government aid is highly depended on. The US government has spent $498 billion dollars this year on welfare alone. The state of
Tennessee has an average of 250,000 residents on welfare and has $3 billion dollars this year alone. To help cut costs and help tax payers, 36 states,
including Tennessee, have proposed a bill to drug test all welfare recipients. Since the beginning of the year, the welfare rate has jumped 7 percent
while at the same time, the welfare funds are drying up. Tennessee funds have dropped 17.5 percent, which comes out to be about $215.3 million
dollars this year. State lawmakers have proposed that if drug users on welfare are ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
255). One idea at a time, the group members discussed the outcomes and repercussions of the actions at hand. At the end of the session, the group
members came up with the best solution for drug usage amongst welfare recipients.
There were a total of three dozen states that considered drug testing recipients. Those states included but are not limited to: Michigan, Maine, Florida,
Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Scott (2011), " In Michigan, drug tests are only to be administered to recipients only if
there are reasonable suspicions of abuse". A reasonable suspicion would include the odor of marijuana, paranoia, and the drastic loss of weight without
and evidence of a weight loss plan or health relation. Money given to families by the government for financial support should not be taken away from
the home to buy illegal drugs. There are roughly 30 million Americans receiving welfare in the United States. The Ohio Legislators believe that the idea
of passing a drug test is a popular way to cut down on fraud, waste, and abuse (Milliken, 2011). Florida is the only state that actually passed a law on
drug testing welfare recipients. All the other state proposed a bill for the testing but recanted. Sulzberger (2011), "In Florida, people receiving cash
assistance through welfare have had to pay for their own drug tests since July, and enrollment has shrunk to its lowest levels since the start of the
recession". Florida's

Welfare Recipients Drug Tested
There has been an ongoing controversy as to whether welfare recipients should have to have drug testing done. Drug testing will ensure that recipients
will not abuse the money they're given by the government. Having people on welfare take drug test is advantageous because it could save the system
money, it would help social workers identify children who are around drug abuse, and it would deter people from purchasing and using illegal drugs;
however, it does have a downside such as people who are on prescription medication will show false positives, it can be an invasion of privacy and drug
testing can take hundreds and even thousands of dollars to administer. Drug testing the people on welfare is beneficial because those who are on ...
This will give people what they want, it limits placed on government spending and improving the economy's debt. (Magoon 12, 61) Welfare is made to
help individuals get back on their feet not a life supply, if you need assistance the government is willing to help but it should be temporary.Welfare is a
privilege and abusing the system ruins it for the families in need of help. The government wants to get families out of poverty and by eliminating the
problem only helps us by improving our economy. (Magoon 11) Drug testing welfare recipients does have its drawbacks one of them is people who are
on prescribed medication can show false positives. (Carpenter 2) "If there is a possibility that a test can be wrong and denied a family some needed
assistance so they can eat, there is something gravely wrong with that idea." (Tiriana 2) Your legal doctor can prescribe you medicine and when tested
you can test positive to illegal drugs even when you've never done them. People are discriminated against even with a legal doctors involvement.
(Carpenter 2) That isn't right for anybody to be falsely accused even when they're already looked down upon by just being on welfare. Sometimes
people don't pay attention to ingredients.inside their food and something so small can trigger a false positive. For example you can eat a poppy seed
bagel/pastries and test positive for morphine, codeine, and heroin. If large amounts of

Should Drug Testing Welfare Recipients? Essay
The use of drugs is an immense problem in today's society. The big question is, is it a problem within the welfare system? Drug use isn't just a problem
of poverty; it's found among all groups and classes. As said in Jamelle Bouies article, The Myth of Drug Use and Welfare, "The myth of welfare
recipients spending their benefits on drugs is just that–a myth. And indeed, in Utah, only 12 people out of 466–or 2.5 percent–showed evidence of drug
use after a mandatory screening." Drug testing welfare recipients is something many people have different views on. It can cause controversy; some
people think we should drug test welfare recipients while others disagree. Drug testing welfare recipients has many negative outcomes that would come
along with it. We should be more focused on trying to get the people back on their feet rather than finding more problems to implicate them with.
Mandatory drug testing for welfare benefits is unfair and immoral and it should not happen within the welfare system. It is unconstitutional, it will cost
more money than it will save us, and we should be treating drug addiction and abuse as a disease.
Substance abuse issues have long been part of public assistance policy discussions. States have proposed drug testing of applicants and recipients of
welfare benefits since federal welfare reform in 1996. In more recent years, almost all states have proposed some form of drug testing for applicants of
welfare. The likelihood that drug testing would

Mandatory Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients
Breez Arann
Ms. Holiday
English 12
11/04/15
Mandatory Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients
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

Benefits of Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Essay
Introduction Random drug screening involves the experimental analysis that utilizes specimens such as saliva, hair, blood or urine in order to determine
the presence of certain drugs or their metabolites. These tests are usually done to ascertain the presence or absence of prohibited drugs or steroids. On
the other hand, the state welfare assistance/ government assistance is a government funded program that was started in 1930 during which period US
citizens and the rest of the world were facing the great depression (Welfare Information, par.1). This program was meant to assist those who were low
income or no income earners. In order for a person to be eligible for the U.S. welfare aid, program managers must determine a number of ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Moreover, other people argue that some individuals are staying out of marriages so that they can be assisted. Keeping these sentiments in mind, it is
imperative that the random screening exercise be considered as a requirement for those seeking to be assisted through the state welfare assistance
program.
Random Drug Testing This is not a new technique as it has been around for sometime though in a different setting. Currently, most Americans working
in either the private or the public sector must undergo a urinalysis test in order to keep their present jobs or get a new one (The Lectric Law Library
par.2). This test is carried out in order to assess whether the worker is using drugs in order to evaluate the job performance of that particular worker.
However, this exercise has faced a number of obstacles particularly law suits that have seen many federal courts rule out these practices in the
workplaces. They are considered unconstitutional except when there is a reasonable suspicion on a particular individual who can then be forced to
undertake the tests. Despite these obstacles many people believe that the employers have a right to assess the performance of their employers in order to
safeguard their investments. Moreover, innocent employees need not worry if they have nothing to hide about their personal lives since the tests do not
pose any life threatening experiences (The

Welfare Recipients Essay
All around the world, taxpayers are paying to help support the welfare programs. "On average, each federal income taxpayer in America spends $8,776
annually to keep federal welfare programs afloat." Most of the time, however, there are the people who abuse the welfare program by using it for drugs.
So the legislation has proposed the idea of drug testing welfare applicants. According to Stephanie Larson in the article "Should We Drug Test Welfare
Recipients?" currently 62% of large employers in the US have drug testing in the work place. So why not on welfare applicants? Also Pennsylvania has
not yet passed legislation on this growing topic. Furthermore, approximately 18.3% of Erie County residents are below the poverty line and 29.2% of
the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The purpose behind drug testing is so the states will save money by not letting drug addicts on their programs so the applicants don't uses the states
welfare dollars to support their lifestyle. By having drug testing on welfare applicants, it could open the doors for the children living on welfare to
receive a better life. According to Opposing Viewpoints, growing up Ranee's mother abused the welfare system. "I remember having no heat or
electricity and being so hungry it was painful." Renee explains "my siblings and I would fist fight over food. She would trade her food stamp card for
various things like cash, cigarettes and an occasional joint"(Welfare Programs Should Include Mandatory Drug Testing). Ranee was a victim of a
mother who abused the welfare system. If her mother had to take the drug test and failed the government would have seen the condition Ranee was in
and offered help to her and her

The Controversial Idea Of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
"Taxpayers should provide support to those in need; recipients, in return, should engage in responsible and constructive behavior as a condition of
receiving aid." (Robert Rector 2)
As I worked on the controversial idea of drug testing welfare recipients, the most important thing I leaned is that Kline and colleagues surveyed
substance use among a representative sample of welfare recipients in New Jersey. They found that 12 percent admitted that they used cocaine, but 25
percent tested positive for cocaine use based on hair sample analyses. Now that I know that, I can better understand the larger issue that the drug
epidemic is monumental in the United States, and unfortunately we can not simply take peoples word on if they are using or ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Although testing for welfare often receives backlash there is information that it would decrease drug abuse, that people deserve to know where their
money is going, and it would ultimately save money. 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.

Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Drug Testing
Texas Health and Human Services, also known as Medicaid, is intended to help meet the basic needs of the less fortunate. Drug addiction is a big
problem with the recipients and often times these funds are misused and spent on illicit substances. Drug testing is necessary because welfare assistance
should not be a one way hand out or an open–ended entitlement. The testing of recipients is also necessary as it could save tax payers money in the long
term. Finally mandatory testing should be initiated as it justifies fairness and equality. Many people who work are required to drug test and so should
recipients. College students who play organized ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
(Lambardo Vision Launch, web.). It could prevent illicit drug use in the poverty class, and it is a normal part of life. By removing drug abusers from the
welfare program there is a potential to save millions of dollars every year. In Utah, although only a small number tested positive, if there would have
been no drug test the state would have handed away more than 350,000 dollars worth to welfare recipients who use drugs through the year. (Price,
Deseretnews.com, web.). Utah's law also doesn't disqualify people who test positive, instead it requires them to enter substance abuse treatments. By
requiring drug testing for welfare it could stop people from getting on drugs in the first place. Lombardo's main point is many people are required to
take a drug test to gain employment and a reular pay so that in turn should be required for welfare applicants as well.
Besonen of the Concordian states that a reason for mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients is that it is just fair. (Besonen, The Concordian, web.).
People who work have to drug test and so should applicants. Colleges require drug testing for sports

The Benefits Of Welfare Drug Testing
Even though most people who have a job are required to submit to a drug test prior employment, individuals receiving welfare should not be tested for
substance abuse. Contrary to popular belief, individuals on welfare do not actually use government assistance to pay for their drug habits, nor do illegal
immigrants take advantage of the system. Being that government assistance typically provides very little money towards helping an individual, the cost
of welfare is actually cheaper than most people think.
A poll conducted online with over 1.6 million votes, shows that 79% of the voters lean towards requiring the testing of welfare recipients. ("Welfare
Drug Testing Poll Results") The myth that welfare recipients use their government assistance ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
West Virginia created a pilot program in which the state would screen welfare recipients for issues in drug abuse. This pilot program would last 3 years
which gives the opportunity to see if it does indeed work. Should the law and drug testing not work as intended, it would expire after the set 3 years.
The law states that if a recipient of welfare is suspected to be abusing drugs, then, a drug test could be ordered. Two other important provisions were
included into the bill in that "applicants who refuse the drug screen or test are ineligible for assistance", and "a child whose parent tests positive can still
continue to receive benefits through a designated payee." (Legislatures, 2016) This solution has an expiration date to the bill in case it does not work as
planned. Also, the passing of this bill will not only address the drug abuse with welfare recipients, it will also help protect the children who have no
control over their parents drug use. Finally, this method also doesn't require everyone to be treated as a drug abuser by doing 100 percent testing of all
recipients; it will only require those who appear to be abusing drugs, to be tested.
Another solution for drug testing welfare recipients is to try and sway away the public and generalization that all welfare recipients are drug abusers.
With a little time and research, data can be gathered and looked over to see if there is indeed a problem with drugs and those on welfare. If the numbers
do show that there indeed isn't a problem with drug abuse, then this information needs to get out into the public and made known. Educating the
population with factual numbers may possibly sway the publics' opinion on welfare and drug

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Should Not Be Drug Tested
To test or not to test has been has been the question at hand for many states that are dealing with whether or not to pass the law that welfare recipients
should or should not be drug tested in order to receive assistance from the government. Florida was the first state to mandate the law in 2011 and
thereafter twenty four other states in the last year have also passed this law with our own state of Oklahoma being one of them. Although alcohol is
legal it is abused far more than marijuana or hard core drugs, According to the 1996 study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
the differences between the proportion of welfare and non–welfare recipients using illegal drugs are statistically insignificant. Although some states
have decided to pass the law for welfare recipients in order receive government assistance, I believe it's ineffective to drug test these welfare recipients
in order to receive their benefits. Welfare in the United States commonly refers to the federal government welfare programs that have been put in place
to assist the unemployed or underemployed. Help is extended to the poor through a variety of government welfare programs that include the Women,
Infants, and Children Program which is referred to as WIC, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families commonly known as TANF and
Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
Drug testing welfare recipients is negative because drug tests performed on

Texas Should Adopt Drug Testing Policy For Welfare Recipients
This proposal points out how Texas should adopt drug testing policy for welfare recipients. We researched the state of Oklahoma, its efforts to improve
its well–being, the decreased amount of welfare recipients received while increasing employment and the welfare program abilities. Texas is currently
reopening this Bill and reconsidering this proposal for drug testing all welfare recipients. This will allow all of Texas welfare recipient's access to
different programs for personal improvement, job opportunists and economic growth.
Annually, the state of Texas provides welfare assistance and benefits to more than 100,000 residents – a 90 million dollar program ultimately funded by
taxpayer dollars. The application of drug testing is to better enforce the appropriate utilization of welfare assistance and is not to discriminate against
any one group of people "suspected" using of drugs. The application of active and systematically applying drug testing to those persons receiving
welfare assistance, more accurately ensures that welfare assistance benefits are not providing money for narcotics, and to prevent cases of child neglect.
Senate Bill 11 would requires each applicant and/or recipient to be drug tested upon requesting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This
would provide a constructive, two–way consequence in the form of: preventing taxpayer money from being used in a manner other than its' intention in
funding drug dealers, and helping current and/or

The Influence Of Drug Testing On Welfare
There is an ongoing argument between individuals that believe anyone on any sort of government aid should be drug tested, and many that believe it's
unconstitutional and that they should not be drug tested. One federal aid is welfare also known as (TANF). Welfare is a public assistance program that
provides at least the minimum amount of economic security to people who do have a job, but don't make enough income, and to individuals that don't
have employment. Welfare was designed to give people whose incomes are insufficient to maintain an adequate standard type of living. Many
government aid gets misused and abused. In many ways drug testing welfare recipients or applicant, first and foremost would benefit the person
applying for assistance, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In Florida recently they ratified drug testing program and decided to suspend it, because on February 26, 2013, a panel of the US Court of Appeals for
the Eleventh Circuit preliminarily found in Lebron v. Florida Department of Children and Families that suspicion less drug testing of welfare recipients
is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, and that requiring consent to such testing as a condition of receiving welfare violates the doctrine of
unconstitutional conditions. More specifically, the court upheld the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruling because it did not abuse
its discretion in finding the plaintiffs likely to succeed on the merits of their claim. The program required all applicants for Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) to pay for a urinalysis. If the results were positive, applicants would become ineligible to receive TANF benefits for one year.
So, why can't we test welfare recipients, government workers are teachers, police officers etc. are required to get tested, so where are their rights.
Government workers are getting paid, because they are working for their money, but the welfare recipients are not working they are just receiving aid
from the government. So, how can we be violently the Fourth Amendment when it's a requirement for many jobs these days. Many also argue that
many jobs don't require drug

Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients
Introduction Since the reformation of welfare in 1996, nearly all states have attempted to pass legislation to require the use of drug testing among
welfare recipients. Thirteen states have passed legislation and there are currently seven states testing applicants for drugs. The results have been
somewhat anticlimactic, as the number of positive drug test results is lower than the national average. There are many concerns surrounding the issue of
drug testing welfare recipients, including the cost, constitutionality, and the effect on children.
History
In 1971, President Richard Nixon initiated the national War on Drugs, which focused on the passage of policies geared toward fighting illegal
substances (Amundson, Zajicek, and Hunt, 2014). During this time, Nixon allocated two–thirds of federal dollars for treatment of drug addiction and
prevention of new users and one–third of federal dollars for interdiction and enforcement (Amundson et al., 2014). After Nixon's initial War on Drugs
program, policies and programs began to shift. Under the Regan Administration, the War on Drugs became more punitive and there was a reversal of
federal dollars. Under the new and subsequent regimes, two–thirds of money was spent on interdiction and enforcement and one–third was spent on
treatment and prevention (Amundson et al., 2014). Under this new Administration came tougher sentencing, an increase in prison spending, and
mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses (Amundson et al.,

Drug Testing the Less Fortunate
Should drug testing be a necessity for all state and federal aid programs? Drug testing welfare recipients have been a major issue across the United
States for a few years now. Many indicate that if working class people are subject to a test prior to hire or randomly during the duration of employment,
why should those that don't have to work for money not have the same treatment? The government estimated that random annual drug testing for
welfare recipients would cost each taxpayer an additional four–thousand dollars per year. They say there is no punishment for failing a drug test, but is
there. The lack of free money, food or health care to me seems like a punishment. I will briefly give a history of the attempts to reform the public
assistance program and the need for drug testing.
In the early 1980's Congress passed the Anti–Drug Abuse Act of 1985 made individuals who have three or more convictions for certain drug–related
offenses permanently ineligible for various federal benefits. In 1996, Congress is when the thought process of drug testing for public assistance started.
However, the years, these programs have been denied repeatedly. At the National Conference of State Legislatures reported in 2011 thirty six states put
forth proposals around drug testing of public aid and food stamp (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP) recipients; however, only three
states enacted legislation; Azizona, Flordia, and Missouri. In 2012, twenty–eight states set

Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients Essay

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