Brinkley Smithers Inst. Random drug testing of welfare recipients is scientifically and medically unsound: Welfare recipients are no more likely to use drugs than the rest of the population.
According to a study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, differences between the proportion of welfare and non-welfare recipients using illegal drugs are statistically insignificant. CAMH believes that there was little benefit to testing and that the stigma associated with testing impacted those on welfare negatively.
They recommended that resources be allocated towards better training for government workers to detect signs of substance abuse and mental disorders, as well as to greater assistance and treatment to those who need help. Drug testing is not used by many private employers because of the exorbitant cost of catching each person who tests positive.
An Oklahoma study found that a questionnaire was able to accurately detect 94 out of drug abusers. The questionnaire was also useful in detecting alcohol abusers, something drug tests fail to accomplish. For example, New York and Maryland each considered a program to randomly drug test those receiving welfare, but abandoned the plan as not cost-effective, given that urinalysis is almost exclusively a barometer of marijuana use and that welfare recipients are required to undergo regular supervision, allowing for effective monitoring absent the cost and intrusion of mandatory drug testing.
At least four states modified the ban to require those convicted of drug felony charges to comply with drug testing requirements as a condition of receiving benefits, including Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Arkansas passed SB making their drug testing program permanent. At least 17 states had proposals in to address substance abuse and drug testing for welfare programs.
Legislative enactments:. West Virginia Governor Tomblin signed SB 6 on March 23, , which creates a 3-year pilot program to screen welfare applicants for substance abuse issues.
If the caseworker has reason to believe the applicant is abusing drugs, a drug test will be ordered. Applicants who test positive and attend substance abuse treatment, counseling and a job skills program can continue to receive benefits. Applicants who refuse the drug screen or test are ineligible for assistance. However a child whose parent tests positive can still continue to receive benefits through a designated payee.
The legislation also includes a required investigation and home visit from Child Protective Services for parents who test positive. The department must report to the legislature on the number of applicants testing positive; those with reasonable suspicion; the number completing treatment and the costs of the pilot program by December 31, and annually thereafter.
Hawaii's proposal is for the state to study the issue. Arkansas Governor Hutchinson signed SB into law on April 8, requiring the Department of Workforce Services to establish a two-year pilot program of suspicion-based drug screening and testing for each applicant and recipient of TANF. The pilot should be statewide and include all counties bordering Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee all states with existing drug testing laws. All applicants and current recipients upon redetermination of benefits shall be screened and if reasonable suspicion of drug use, the applicant or recipient is required to take a drug test.
If a person refuses to take the test or tests positive, they are ineligible for benefits for six months. A person testing positive can still receive benefits if they comply with a treatment plan.
The department shall identify the screening tool and develop a plan for funding the program and report to the General Assembly on the results of the program. The law shall take effect no later than December 31, and expire after two years unless otherwise extended by the legislature.
In , the state made the program permanent through SB Wisconsin included a provision in the budget bill SB 21 to drug test individuals participating in the Wisconsin Works and the Transform Milwaukee Jobs program and work experience programs for non-custodial parents.
The bills require the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a suspicion-based drug screening and testing program in at least three counties. The department must screen applicants and recipients of the Family Independence Program in the pilot counties using a valid substance abuse screening tool. If the screening tool gives the department reason to believe the person has a substance abuse problem, the person will be required to take a substance abuse test.
If the applicant refuses to take the test, benefits will be denied and they may re-apply after 6 months. For those who test positive, they will be referred to a department-identified community mental health entity and can be eligible to continue receiving benefits. If the individual tests positive, the cost of the test is deducted from their benefit amount. The department must report to the legislature on the pilot program within 60 days of its ending.
The bill requires applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and certain recipients upon reasonable suspicion of illegal substance use to undergo drug screening, defined as a chemical, biological or physical instrument to detect the presence of drugs.
Reasonable suspicion exists for those with a conviction of use or distribution of drugs within five years and for those who test positive to screening. If a person refuses to take the test or delays the test, benefits can be denied. A positive screening results in a warning that benefits may be lost. A subsequent positive screening will result in loss of benefits.
The bill specifies that if parents lose benefits, the child ren may still receive benefits through a third party. The bill requires all applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families TANF to complete a written questionnaire to determine the likelihood of a substance abuse problem. If the results indicate a likelihood the person has a substance abuse problem, the applicant must submit to a drug test.
The test is paid for by the state human services department. Critics have slammed plans to drug test those on Newstart. But what does the scheme involve? And what does the evidence say? New welfare recipients would be selected for testing at random. If a person fails a second test in 25 working days, they would be referred to a medical professional for treatment.
The government has scrapped a previous measure that would force those who failed a second test to pay a portion of the costs. People will be tested for ice methamphetamine , ecstasy MDMA , marijuana, cocaine and heroin. If a person fails the test, they can be forced to pay the cost of the test and later have their welfare payments cut. That equates to 0.
0コメント