Welfare Programs Should Not Require Mandatory Drug Testing
Welfare Programs Should Not Require Mandatory Drug Testing
There are many welfare programs available to the public that a lot of individuals depend upon. Without access to certain benefits some people may not survive. Such benefits include food stamps, medical assistance, cash assistance, day care vouchers and job placement assistance. Although some may argue that there are people who take advantage of the welfare programs, there are plenty of people who require and appreciate the benefits provided. Recently there has been talk of drug testing welfare recipients. Because the public is concerned with welfare recipients taking advantage of the system they want to keep drug addicts from receiving benefits. This is a major controversy right now is our society but once investigated it is clear that welfare programs should not require mandatory drug testing.
Dealing with social services and being a part of the welfare programs is not a fun time. Acquiring benefits usually consists of long wait times, a lot of paperwork and rude or irritated social workers. While receiving benefits it is a requirement that you re-certify about every 3 to 6 months. That means resubmitting all paperwork and information again, with or without changes. If your paperwork does not arrive on time to the social services office, our benefits can be cancelled. All of these components of being on welfare become extremely frustrating, especially for the people already dealing with the stress of no money, no food, no medical benefits and no job, and make it hard enough for people for people to receive assistance without the added drug testing which many lawmakers are now trying to enforce.
Many are unpleased with the national welfare system. Over the years many states have advocated for welfare reform. Observers of these welfare experiments believe that the experiments will help show the county what is beneficial and what is not. A study done by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
There are many welfare programs available to the public that a lot of individuals depend upon. Without access to certain benefits some people may not survive. Such benefits include food stamps, medical assistance, cash assistance, day care vouchers and job placement assistance. Although some may argue that there are people who take advantage of the welfare programs, there are plenty of people who require and appreciate the benefits provided. Recently there has been talk of drug testing welfare recipients. Because the public is concerned with welfare recipients taking advantage of the system they want to keep drug addicts from receiving benefits. This is a major controversy right now is our society but once investigated it is clear that welfare programs should not require mandatory drug testing.
Dealing with social services and being a part of the welfare programs is not a fun time. Acquiring benefits usually consists of long wait times, a lot of paperwork and rude or irritated social workers. While receiving benefits it is a requirement that you re-certify about every 3 to 6 months. That means resubmitting all paperwork and information again, with or without changes. If your paperwork does not arrive on time to the social services office, our benefits can be cancelled. All of these components of being on welfare become extremely frustrating, especially for the people already dealing with the stress of no money, no food, no medical benefits and no job, and make it hard enough for people for people to receive assistance without the added drug testing which many lawmakers are now trying to enforce.
Many are unpleased with the national welfare system. Over the years many states have advocated for welfare reform. Observers of these welfare experiments believe that the experiments will help show the county what is beneficial and what is not. A study done by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
Cited: "Welfare Programs Should Include Mandatory Drug Testing." Welfare. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Oct. 2012. "EDITORIAL: Testing logic of the tests: Drug testing of welfare applicants is producing meager results." Anniston Star [Anniston, AL] 20 July 2012. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. Liptak, Adam. "Law Requiring Drug Testing of Welfare Parents is Voided." New York Times: 0. Apr 10 2003. National Newspapers Core. Web. 3 Oct. 2012 . Jensen, Peter. "State Legislators Say Drug Testing Puts Welfare Children 's Needs First; Plan 's Supporters Say Details are Still Vague." The Sun: 0. Dec 08 1996. The Baltimore Sun. Web. 3 Oct. 2012 . Hentoff, Nat The, Associated P. "Growing Support for Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients." New York Times: A.18. Feb 26 2012. National Newspapers Core. Web. 5 Oct. 2012 . Kathy Lally and, Jonathan B "Preface to 'What Are Some Alternatives and Improvements to the Welfare System? '." Welfare. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. Kellam, S. (1994, September 16). Welfare experiments. CQ Researcher, 4, 793-816. Glazer, S. (2001, August 3). Welfare reform. CQ Researcher, 11, 601-632. Koch, K. (1998, November 20). Drug testing. CQ Researcher, 8, 1001-1024.