Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Laws

In this blog we are going to examine the percentage of welfare participants and drug testing rates within each individual state. Through research, we have found that various states have had different outcomes when implementing laws regulating drug testing. The two states that stuck out the most were Kansas and Florida. 

In Kansas, the new proposed law states that welfare and unemployment recipients who fail a urine test will lose state cash assistance until they complete a substance abuse treatment program and job skills training. Then, they would subject to periodic tests. Those who fail a second test would lose state assistance for one year or when they finish treatment. A third failure would ban them from benefits altogether. Children of those failing could still get welfare through a third party who can pass a drug test. When someone fails a test, they could request a second independent test. If that one shows up negative, the state will pay the cost of both urine analyses. 

In Florida of 4,086 applicants between July and October 2011, 108 tested positive, or 2.6 percent, with an additional 40 canceling the test. That rate is less than one-third the estimated drug use among Floridians overall. This new law ended up costing Florida money because it reimbursed applicants who tested negative. 


Jenna's View:
Hello, Jenna here. While beginning our research on drug testing on welfare recipients laws, we found a lot of interesting, useful information. Some of the proposed laws were very interesting to me, but did not really seem very cost effective. If all welfare recipients were drug tested, it seems as if more money would be spent on testing than what would actually be saved by cutting off drug using welfare recipients. I do however, like the way in which Kansas law would punish recipients who did fail a drug test. I think that it makes sense to cut off cash assistance for a failed drug test because that could be what they are buying their drugs with. Having them also have to complete a substance abuse treatment program would be a good idea because it could help them kick their habit. The problem with this is that the government will probably have to pay for their treatment program because if they are on welfare, they probably do not have the money to go into treatment. There can be many ways to look at the case of drug testing welfare recipients and I look forward into going further into research to educate myself on the topic.

Heather's View:

Hi, my name is Heather. We have just started this project and I don’t agree with drug testing welfare recipients. I have several questions going into this project. The first one is: Why are people on welfare being singled out to be drug tested? Is there some sort of evidence that would prove people on welfare are more likely to be drug abusers? Is it just a stereotype that people on welfare use drugs or is there statistics to back that up? It seems that if you were to single out a population of people it would be profiling. In my experience people from all walks of life abuse drugs. I do believe there needs to be a way to stop the distribution of drugs. Is testing welfare recipients the best and most cost effective way? As Jenna has mentioned it doesn't seem to be cost effective. I hope to answer all of these questions as we continue with our research.

Cassie's View:

Hello, it's Cassie here. Before doing research for this project, I firmly believed that everyone should be drug tested in order to get welfare. This belief is mainly based off of what I have personally seen and experienced in the past. I know of numerous people who abuse the system as much as possible to get money, but live a lavish lifestyle because they sell drugs. When taking a step back and looking at these people, they seem harmless. No one knows about their "second life". After doing some research my view has drastically changed. Although this method might work in some cases, it is simply not cost effective. Drug testing is virtually costing states thousands of dollars instead of saving it. However, I do believe that drug testing should be ordered for those suspected of substance abuse. Some things to look for might be children going to school with bruises or cuts on a regular basis or always forgetting to bring in a snack or lunch. Parents might never become involved with the child or respond to any parent news letters/notes. After the initial drug test, if a person fails I believe that they should have their cash assistance taken away for one year, like Jenna stated above. Then they should have periodic drug testing throughout that year to get their cash assistance back. If a person passes the initial drug test, they will be on close watch for the next year. Overall, I think drug testing for welfare is a good idea, but must be tailored in a way to save the state money instead of spending it.