Drug Testing Benefits
Drug Testing And Government Benefits!!
Introduction:
Why is drug testing needed for assistance, and does drug testing welfare applicants work? What about the states that have tried drug testing, did it help them? Is drug testing applicants unconstitutional? The advocates of these programs argue that the drug testing is implemented not just to save money, but to help people who may be struggling with substance abuse. If this is the case then why is the data telling us a different story? The issue of substance abuse has been a part of the public assistance discussions for a long time now. Many states have proposed drug testing of applicants and recipients of public welfare benefits since the federal welfare reform. Federal rules actually …show more content…
“It was part of the work assessment,” she explained, “what are your barriers to work, what you need in order to get a job.” If it was a barrier to employment, states could try to help them get what they needed to overcome it. The negative impact is that it can increase the shame people feel around applying for welfare benefits in the first place, which could drive them away from getting assistance they may need to get by. At the same time, it may make drug users less willing to disclose and therefore keep them from connecting with treatment, according to Lower Basch. “If people are afraid they’ll lose their benefits if they admit to using drugs, it makes it hard for them to say, ‘Hey, actually I have this issue,'” she explained. A study of Florida’s program, which has since been struck down by the courts, found that it didn’t produce any reliable estimates of drug use among welfare recipients. Even if the policies did unearth drug users in need of help, however, that doesn’t mean states are going to get it to them. Many “don’t guarantee your slot [in treatment facilities] or in some cases pay for it,” she noted. Centers often have long waiting lists, so someone who gets referred may not even be able to get in. Some states used to use TANF money to expand access to drug treatment, but as the money allocated to the program has dropped in real value, those efforts have dried up. I can’t help but think that the funds have dried up due to the money being spent on
Introduction:
Why is drug testing needed for assistance, and does drug testing welfare applicants work? What about the states that have tried drug testing, did it help them? Is drug testing applicants unconstitutional? The advocates of these programs argue that the drug testing is implemented not just to save money, but to help people who may be struggling with substance abuse. If this is the case then why is the data telling us a different story? The issue of substance abuse has been a part of the public assistance discussions for a long time now. Many states have proposed drug testing of applicants and recipients of public welfare benefits since the federal welfare reform. Federal rules actually …show more content…
“It was part of the work assessment,” she explained, “what are your barriers to work, what you need in order to get a job.” If it was a barrier to employment, states could try to help them get what they needed to overcome it. The negative impact is that it can increase the shame people feel around applying for welfare benefits in the first place, which could drive them away from getting assistance they may need to get by. At the same time, it may make drug users less willing to disclose and therefore keep them from connecting with treatment, according to Lower Basch. “If people are afraid they’ll lose their benefits if they admit to using drugs, it makes it hard for them to say, ‘Hey, actually I have this issue,'” she explained. A study of Florida’s program, which has since been struck down by the courts, found that it didn’t produce any reliable estimates of drug use among welfare recipients. Even if the policies did unearth drug users in need of help, however, that doesn’t mean states are going to get it to them. Many “don’t guarantee your slot [in treatment facilities] or in some cases pay for it,” she noted. Centers often have long waiting lists, so someone who gets referred may not even be able to get in. Some states used to use TANF money to expand access to drug treatment, but as the money allocated to the program has dropped in real value, those efforts have dried up. I can’t help but think that the funds have dried up due to the money being spent on