Answering a Question

Sherman Dellenbach

English 1100

Mr. Dilbeck

October 31^st 2013      

Drug Testing Those on Welfare

Everybody who pays taxes in the United States, is putting money towards TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), also known as welfare. This money goes towards families who need financial help and maybe finding a job. According to Statistic Brain, the government spends $131.9 billion annually on welfare. People who are signed up receive assistance monthly and can receive up to $1000 per month. Some people don’t use this money for its expected purpose to benefit their families. The majority of people that are receiving this aid are located in low income housing which makes drugs easily obtainable. The money that was supposed to go to clothing, rent, and food, has now become drug money. This issue could be resolved if drug tests for people receiving tax payers money are drug tested on a regular basis. Even though drug testing those on welfare may be expensive, and have moral issues, in the long run it will help save the government money and assist those with an addiction problem.

            In a recent article from Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly titled States Consider Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients, many opinions expressed when the pros and cons are weighed. Craig Blair, a delegate in West Virginia, believes that it is right and would be helpful to everybody if recipients of welfare, unemployment, and/or food stamps were to undergo a drug test (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly). Blair suggests that if they test positive, they have two months to get clean. If after those two months they are still testing positive then all aid will be revoked. This bill was introduced in West Virginia from Blair himself. He has a very logic purpose for it: “the need for unemployment compensation will be increasing, and that these people should be ‘at the front of the line’”. This article was written in 2009, which is when the unemployment rate started sky rocketing, so Blair has a good point. Even in the year 2013 we still have a large section of unemployed. Random drug testing for those receiving assistance is being done in Hawaii. Mele Carroll (sponsor of this decision), believes it is making these people getting money from the government have to be “accountable”. However, Hawaii’s Department of Humans Resources asked the “what if” question. If parents were found with drugs, or using the money un-responsibly, then what would happen to the children? “Drug testing without supportive referrals to family treatment programs for vulnerable mothers and their children will not achieve family stability and child well-being outcomes” states Malika Saada Sarr, director of The Rebecca Project. If the government were to drug test parent of a family and for instance they were to test positive, the government should recommend (at the least), and recovery route. If this isn’t done, then then their children will be at risk.

            According to The Legal Action Center and the Welfare Reform Act from 1996, “states are authorized to conduct drug tests on TANF recipients, but cannot use TANF funds to do so”. Drug testing those that are believed to need it isn’t the heart of the problem. Everybody wants to know where the money comes from to run these tests. Medical and lab bills are not cheap, so who will be paying for this? The average cost per drug test is $42, and that only includes the lab fee (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly). Because of this pricey test, this is the reason that many states don’t agree with the suggestion. It’s not that nobody wants to do it, it’s just the cost of the matter that is holding everybody back. If one family, with two adults, that are receiving welfare get $1000 dollars a month and are drug tested (which would cost around $84) and drug show up on their results, which in turn should take their aid away. The government or state would be saving $1000 a month for the one-time fee of $84. It seems like a no brainier. Instead of running tests, the government has sent out questionnaires to those receiving welfare. The chances of people that do drugs and filling out that survey in the mail and sending it back are slim to none. Even if they were to send it back, how many people are going to tell the truth? The Legal Action Center states; “It is wise for states to invest in treatment rather than wasting resources in universal drug testing”.

            “Drug testing by itself does nothing to promote employment, economic stability or responsible parenting” states Children’s Action Alliance of Phoenix. Welfare is supposed to do all three of these things. Yes, if people were drug tested and caught, the welfare costs would go down. However, the Legal Action Center believes that “criminal justice and health care expenses” would increase. People would be taken to court and people would be expecting and seeking treatment. It is true that these sections expenses would raise, but would the government rather that happen than have people continue drug use? Children would never be able to receive help and would have to live with their parents that obviously don’t have their best interest at heart because they would rather spend grocery money on marijuana. The question becomes; does the government really care about making the world a better place and what is best for the individuals, or just saving money?

            Overall, drug testing those on welfare seems to be a good idea. People have good intentions of doing it, the financial side still needs to be worked out. The outcome of testing would help solve addictions problems, get people assistance, and do what is best for the children in these situations. People’s tax money will be going to a better cause and to a place where it can actually be made sure it’s used for what it’s supposed to be.

Works Cited

"States Consider Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients." Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 21.8 (2009): 4-6. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.

"Welfare Statistics." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., 13 Sept. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.