Drug Testing for Welfare

October 11, 2012 Make It Fair Drug Test for Welfare
Since its creation in 1939, America's food stamp program has helped families in need. Other welfare programs, such as TANF and WIC, have truly made a difference in the lives of American families. Families are kept together, children are healthier and often times, recipients are able to use the welfare to help them as they find a new job. Yet every system has its flaws, and many argue that tax payer dollars are being wasted. I believe that recipients of welfare should submit to mandatory drug testing. Welfare recipients accept millions of American dollars in aid every year. It would only be fair for them to be tested to ensure the assistance is dispersed properly. Also, many places of employment practice random drug testing. If it happens in the workforce, why would it be unfair for welfare recipients?
The biggest positive of this program is that it would deter recipients from purchasing and using illegal drugs. This might mean they don't even need the welfare in the first place. It could also keep children and society in general, safer. It could help social workers know when children are around drug abuse, and thus prevent further abuse in families. It could help lower the demand for illegal drugs on the streets. It could possibly even save the system some money, as those who are on drugs would not receive welfare. Also, it could create new jobs for people to oversee the drug testing.
A few of the reasons other people do not think we as a country should require a recipient of welfare and assistance from the government are its unconstitutional, children will bear the blunt, and drug addiction is a disease. The reason the people say it’s unconstitutional it is that a similar law has already been deemed unconstitutional in Florida, Oklahoma, and Michigan; for broadly subjecting all welfare applicants to a drug test violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. Children could bear the burden because if their parents fail a required drug test the children would not be able to get that food that feeds them, that money which goes to diapers or clothes. Also, drug addiction is a disease denying access to public benefits is especially devastating for people who have sought help for their addiction but must wait for several months for a spot to open up in a state treatment facility.
While all those arguments against this law are very good points, in order to receive welfare you should be able to pass a drug test. Children of these drug users who cannot get off drugs to provide should be put in better care, paid for by the money that was going to the guardian until the child/ children are adult. Drug addiction is a disease, anyone who seeks help should be granted the opportunity. This will cause a tax increase, but it will create thousands of more jobs would help stimulate the economy. Laws have been deemed unconstitutional in some states that required a mandatory drug test for government assistance that I will not argue. How can the government require its employees to pass a mandatory drug test, when we have people living and being assisted by the government that do not have to submit a drug test? That sounds unconstitutional to me I believe it states in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal”.