Drug Testing for Welfare Reipients
Abstract
The subject of this paper is to argue a position on drug testing for welfare. Research was conducted by reading and reviewing online references on the topic of drug testing when applying for welfare. The findings were that certain states in the United States are resorting to drug screening for welfare applications. This has caused complaints of the government being irrational and unconstitutional. In Conclusion it was found that drug testing for welfare would have a positive effect despite the high cost of drug screening welfare applicants.
Drug Testing for Welfare Applicants
Over the past few years it has been brought to the public’s attention that drug screening for welfare recipients may become mandatory. Florida was among the first few states to consider the drug screen. In fact, under a new Florida law, any individual applying for the state benefit will undergo a proper drug screen at the applicant’s expense. If they test negative for illegal drugs, they remain eligible for benefits and the state reimburses them for the cost of the urinalysis. If they test positive for illegal drugs, they are denied welfare for one year, until they given the opportunity to take another test (Alvarez, 2012). It should be taken into consideration by all 50 states to enforce mandatory drug testing for welfare applicants.
Mandatory drug screening for welfare is becoming a large trend across the United States. States such as Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Louisiana are creating laws similar to Florida’s. At the federal level, Senator David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, has introduced the Drug Free Families Act of 2011, which would require all 50 states to drug-test welfare applicants. People on welfare shouldn 't be able to use their benefits to buy illegal drugs. "If you have enough money to be able to buy drugs," says Colorado Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, "then you don 't need public assistance." (USA TODAY, 2012) Many states have
The subject of this paper is to argue a position on drug testing for welfare. Research was conducted by reading and reviewing online references on the topic of drug testing when applying for welfare. The findings were that certain states in the United States are resorting to drug screening for welfare applications. This has caused complaints of the government being irrational and unconstitutional. In Conclusion it was found that drug testing for welfare would have a positive effect despite the high cost of drug screening welfare applicants.
Drug Testing for Welfare Applicants
Over the past few years it has been brought to the public’s attention that drug screening for welfare recipients may become mandatory. Florida was among the first few states to consider the drug screen. In fact, under a new Florida law, any individual applying for the state benefit will undergo a proper drug screen at the applicant’s expense. If they test negative for illegal drugs, they remain eligible for benefits and the state reimburses them for the cost of the urinalysis. If they test positive for illegal drugs, they are denied welfare for one year, until they given the opportunity to take another test (Alvarez, 2012). It should be taken into consideration by all 50 states to enforce mandatory drug testing for welfare applicants.
Mandatory drug screening for welfare is becoming a large trend across the United States. States such as Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Louisiana are creating laws similar to Florida’s. At the federal level, Senator David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, has introduced the Drug Free Families Act of 2011, which would require all 50 states to drug-test welfare applicants. People on welfare shouldn 't be able to use their benefits to buy illegal drugs. "If you have enough money to be able to buy drugs," says Colorado Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, "then you don 't need public assistance." (USA TODAY, 2012) Many states have
References: Lizette Alvarez New York Times april 17 2012 http://ethics.walmartstores.com/IntegrityIntheWorkplace/DrugsAndAlcohol.aspx DOD Testing Program to Screen for More Prescription Drugs http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=67013 http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/story/2012-03-18/drug-testing-welfare-applicants/53620604/1