Welfare Drug Testing Research Paper

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients
Many people are constantly discussing the issue of welfare recipients abusing the system and spending their money on drugs while receiving government assistance. This issue has brought forward a possible solution of states passing legislation that will require welfare applicants to submit to a drug test before receiving any sort of government assistance. Drug testing welfare applicants before allowing them to receive assistance is a positive idea because most employers require drug tests to be taken by applicants pre-employment. This will help make sure that the government funding is being put toward the family and the needs of the household, and also because in the future it will benefit the children growing
They do this to ensure that they are hiring a responsible employee that will not show up to their place of employment while under the influence of illegal substances. As everyone knows, illegal substances that employees test for are typically mind altering medications that prevent people from functioning normally and doing their job to their full potential. Working while under the influence of illegal drugs also poses a safety risk to the employee and surrounding employees. If to earn an income at most jobs people are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, there is no reason that to earn an income provided by the state should be any different. Some employers also require their employees to submit to random drug tests while employed with their company or business so that no one can “cheat the system." This helps employers make sure that their employees are drug free at all
Parents who work regular jobs and are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen are able to provide more for their children. Instead of spending their money on drugs or alcohol, they use it to buy items for their children. Sober parents have more money to buy food to make sure that their children are well nourished. Sober parents also have more money to buy items like books, coloring books, crayons, markers, or arts and crafts supplies which will all be assets to a child’s learning and development. Children of sober parents are more likely to be able to join groups or teams in schools also which will help them socialize. All in all, growing up with sober parents benefits children and can seriously affect their future positively. Growing up with parents who use illegal drugs could create a pattern throughout their children, and they could end up using drugs as well when they grow up. The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children 's Bureau, ICF International states that, “Children who experience either prenatal or postnatal drug exposure are at risk for a range of emotional, academic, and developmental problems. For example, they are more likely to: experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, suffer from psychiatric disorders, exhibit behavior problems, score lower on school achievement tests, and demonstrate difficulties