Topic: Drugtesting for Welfare

OVERVIEW!
              In this blog we are going to examine the different views that the government has on drug testing welfare participants. This will go across the board from presidential candidates in the upcoming election to state legislatures. For years it has been questionable if drug testing welfare participants was unconstitutional. Today some politicians are arguing that people who are in need of federal aid should be required to under go drug testing, not based on the stereotyping of people who require this aid. Instead they should undergo drug testing based on the fact that money funded for welfare comes from tax dollars and the American people have the right to know that their tax money is being spend on struggling families who are trying to better their lives. Politicians propose that people applying for basic aid such as health care, food stamps, childcare, unemployment, cash aid, and housing assistance should be drug tested as a requirement along with other requirements to make their stay in welfare short term. But just like any debate the debate on drug testing welfare participants is ongoing and many politician’s think it’s an invasion of privacy and unconstitutional. They suggest that we are categorizing people in need of aid as drug addicts who are more likely to do drugs than the average American.
             One thing that is important to understand as we move forward with this blog is that the federal government has no control over welfare. The federal government only provides aid through TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) allowing each state to run their own welfare system. Each state has their own set of requirements for applying and staying on welfare, along with guidelines and different kinds of welfare assistance. Eligibility is determined based on a few factors of income, family size, homelessness, unemployment and medical emergencies. Throughout this blog we will go in depth to explore Massachusetts officials opinions on the topic and examine how different states are dealing with the question: Should we drug test welfare participants?


Quick Fact: As of May 16, 2012, at least 28  states put forth proposals in 2012 to require drug testing or screening for public assistance applicants or recipients.

Jessica Thinks:

              Some view drug testing those who are recieving welfare benefits or applying to revieve welfare benefits is unconstitional. Why is this unconstitional? Where the money is coming from is hard working people who most likely had to be drug tested to get their job so why is it so unfair for people who need aid to be drug tested. If you really need the assistance everyone deserves the help but everyone should show they are responsible. There are ten categories tested in the drug test. Not everyone gets drug tested first their is an initial screening process. In Florida an average of 37,000 applicants for TCA are processed and only about 7,000 are determined to be eligible and recieve the cash assistance. Most applicants never finish the application process in Florida they take the temporary assistance for 45 days and then do not receive assistance the next month because the majority have not taken the drug test. Applicant have to pay for the drug test themselves which costs $30 if they test negative for the drugs then they will be reimbursed the money. People who do not want to waste their money to get denied and have to wait six month before applying again and provide proof that they have completed a substance abuse treatment. Of the 574 total drug-related denials only 9 of them were denied for failing the actual drug test. The others were denied because they never took the test. I think that even though there is a small portion of those that actually take the test I think this is a good system because people don't take the test because they know they will fail because of drugs and are not able to recieve assistance, while there are other people out there not doing drugs who need it. The only issue I see with this is people who have young children, and the children need the assistance but they cannot get it because their parents are abusing. I think all states should have a system that drugs tests its recipents recieving welfare benefits. I also think the drug testing should be random and not just part of the initial process.



Amanda Thinks!
             Talking about welfare can be a touchy topic. I've only created the views I have based on experiences I've encountered throughout my life. I live in a community where more than half the people living here use food stamps, housing assistance and many other types of federal aid. Many kids come from one family households with many children, or their families have just recently settled here from other countries. I feel that it's a good idea because welfare is funded by tax dollars from the state. Americans have the right to know that people who are taking this aid are using it for the right reasons. I do not believe that it is stereotyping to ask people to get a drug test to be on welfare. It should just be treated as another requirement to make sure only the people who are using it appropriately are getting it. From personal experience I know people who sell their food stamps for money to buy drugs, alcohol, cigarette and other things the government does not provide for them. I also know many people who lie, change and alter their applications for welfare to be eligible and receive more aid. It is unfair to the working class of America if these people are simply overlooked and allowed to stay on welfare. I do believe that the government should pass a law requiring ALL states to drug test welfare participants. States that already have this law in affect are cutting down on non-need based aid. It is important to understand that the money to fund aid is coming out of our pockets. We work hard to our money, so lets ensure that the people we are helping to aid are working just as hard to get their lives back on track. Politicians on a state and local level can take action to get Massachusetts on board and buckle down on unworthy welfare participants.