Drug Testing for Welfare? Bad Idea?

[Bengal Maniac]

Some states have decided to drug test adults who qualify for welfare. Statistics that I read prior to this showed that this was going to be a bad idea. Experts who do these things believed only 6% of welfare recipients were frequent drug users and the cost to test would not outweigh by a long shot the savings in denying benefits to those that are frequent users.

 

The early results are out in at least two states Utah and Florida. In Utah only 2.6% tested positive and 2% in Florida. Now there is the variable that some did not apply due to the testing and we only have a few months of data, which leads me to believe the 6% number is probably pretty accurate.

 

This is an idea that let a value system of some, many, a lot, I don't know has gotten in the way of good fiscal sense...I am not saying there are no problems in the welfare system, we all know there is abuse, but it appears drug use is not one. States should think really, really hard before doing this. It just doesn't make sense no matter how obvious we think it might be.

[HammerTime]

Lots of variables at play here. Have they "saved" money or not so far? Do you have an article providing more details?

[HammerTime]

Drug Use Estimates | Drug War Facts

 

(Prevalence of Current Illicit Drug Use in the US, 2012) "• In 2012, an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 9.2 percent of the population aged 12 or older. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) used nonmedically. - See more at: Drug Use Estimates | Drug War Facts

 

I find it very hard to believe that number is lower than the numbers from the general population.

[Bengal Maniac]

Welfare Drug Testing Catches Only 12 Users In Utah

 

This is Utah.

[HammerTime]

SALT LAKE CITY — A new state program requiring drug screening for welfare applicants has saved more than $350,000 in its first year, officials said.

 

Preliminary data show Utah spent more than $30,000 from August 2012 to July 2013 to screen welfare applicants for drug use, but only found 12 people who tested positive.

 

Supporters of the program are pointing to about 250 people who failed to meet drug screening requirements during the year and were barred from receiving or applying for benefits for three months.

 

Those people would have otherwise received more than $350,000 in benefits, according to the state Department of Workforce Services, which administers the welfare program and the drug screening.

 

Utah's welfare drug testing saved more than $350,000 in first year, officials say | Deseret News

[HammerTime]

A little more info...

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/27/welfare-drug-testing_n_3822750.html

 

From August 2012 through July 2013, the state prescreened 4,730 applicants to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program with a written test. The state followed up with an actual drug test for the 466 of those whose written answers suggested a likelihood of drug use.

 

The 466 tests turned out 12 positive results, as the Associated Press first reported. The results were similar when Florida launched welfare drug testing in 2011 and just 2.6 percent of applicants tested positive. National surveys usually find that about 8 percent of respondents used drugs in the previous month.

[Bengal Maniac]

2013 - Salon.com

 

This sites several states resullts. Now, I don't know if this is a reputable site or not. We really need to see actual financials from states to determine. It still seems to me to be more trouble than it is worth. It is not putting a dent in the drug problem for those that use or save anything at all. No telling how much $$ states will spend to defend the ACLU on this also.

[Bengal Maniac]

Drug Use Estimates | Drug War Facts

 

(Prevalence of Current Illicit Drug Use in the US, 2012) "• In 2012, an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 9.2 percent of the population aged 12 or older. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) used nonmedically. - See more at: Drug Use Estimates | Drug War Facts

 

I find it very hard to believe that number is lower than the numbers from the general population.

 

I don't find it hard to believe. Thsoe in poverty have more mental health and health issues than the general population, but not drug use. Prescription drugs would be a different story in my mind less costly. Illegal drug use crosses all socioeconomic brackets, as we all know.

[Mayfieldsportsfan]

IMO only.....If I have to pass a drug test to work then they should have to pass the same test to receive assistance.

[TheDeuce]

SALT LAKE CITY — A new state program requiring drug screening for welfare applicants has saved more than $350,000 in its first year, officials said.

 

Preliminary data show Utah spent more than $30,000 from August 2012 to July 2013 to screen welfare applicants for drug use, but only found 12 people who tested positive.

 

Supporters of the program are pointing to about 250 people who failed to meet drug screening requirements during the year and were barred from receiving or applying for benefits for three months.

 

Those people would have otherwise received more than $350,000 in benefits, according to the state Department of Workforce Services, which administers the welfare program and the drug screening.

 

Utah's welfare drug testing saved more than $350,000 in first year, officials say | Deseret News

 

So they spent $30k to save $350k? Worth it... Absolutely worth it, IMO. And I'm with MSF, if I have to pass a drug test to be allowed to work, someone wanting hand outs should be expected to pass as well.

[halfback20]

So they spent $30k to save $350k? Worth it... Absolutely worth it' date=' IMO. And I'm with MSF, if I have to pass a drug test to be allowed to work, someone wanting hand outs should be expected to pass as well.[/quote']

 

Agreed.

[Hellbird]

I could care less if the states lost money paying for the test, I still think it's worth it.

[BigVMan23]

Are they testing for illegal prescription drug use as well? I would think that's a huge problem in a lot of areas.

[TheDeuce]

Are they testing for illegal prescription drug use as well? I would think that's a huge problem in a lot of areas.

 

Agree with this also. If you test positive for a prescription drug, you better have an Rx for it...

[LIPTON BASH]

What would be the issue? Sounds like its working.