DRUG TESTING

Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients

Abstract

In this study we have evaluated the usefulness and limitations of drug testing on walfare recipients. We were able to find out that Drug testing has significant limitations in its ability to identify welfare recipients with substance abuse problems. We have seen that Testing when there are specific reasons to suspect drug use is also allowed. However, courts have struck down suspicion less drug testing requirements when they have determined there is no real public safety issue. But if we see the broader aspect of it Workplace drug testing is common practice and provides a good model for public assistance drug testing programs because such programs function as a meaningful deterrent to drug use and provide an avenue to intervention and treatment for those who test positive.

Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients

1. Contextual factors impacting welfare recipient drug testing policies in 2011

Recently several states have initiated programs that tie welfare payments to the recipients' successfully passing drug testing screens for illegal drugs. While most of the press reaction has been brief and only regarding a single state, a recent story featured on the front page of The New York Times described proposals and programs for welfare recipients being implemented in many states across the country.1 The article focused on the potentially punitive and negative nature of drug tests and speculated that a positive test would deny support not only to the welfare recipient, but also to any minor children or other dependents living with that individual. The testing was construed as an inappropriate invasion of privacy as well as an attempt by states to cut their budgets by no longer funding addiction (Levy, 1997).

2. Identify and describe the stakeholders in the welfare recipient drug testing issue

The stakeholders in the welfare recipient drug testing issue will be the laboratory from which they are getting tested, policy practitioner, and government. Drug testing is a common pre-employment condition among private employers. Testing by the government has resulted in Constitutional challenges - the most recent one involves a challenge to Florida state law. Courts have upheld the legality of drug testing by government agencies for individuals in sensitive positions and when public safety is involved, as well as for persons involved in accidents on the job and for certain public school students. Testing when there are specific reasons to suspect drug use is also allowed. However, courts have struck down suspicion less drug testing requirements when they have determined there is no real public safety issue. Most estimates do not incorporate costs relating to increased substance abuse treatment utilization or to increased child welfare interventions (Kean, 1999). Examples of costs used in State cost estimates include:

Purchasing the drug tests, including initial and retests

Laboratory fees

Staff time to administer the tests

Staff time to monitor compliance and eligibility

Staff time to deal with increased administrative hearings

Modifying facilities to accommodate the testing

Modifying computer programs to include drug testing in eligibility

Substance abuse treatment

Hiring a contractor to administer the tests

Legal fees if the law is ...