Pros And Cons Of Welfare Drug Testing

The Government Uses My Money For What? “States have proposed drug testing of applicants and recipients of public welfare benefits since federal welfare reform in 1996” (Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients and Assistance 2015). Substance abuse has been a part of public discussion for a long time now. In the past years some states have proposed some type of drug testing to be performed. “In 2009, over 20 states proposed legislation that would require drug testing as a condition of eligibility for public assistance programs” (Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients and Assistance 2015). Although these states proposed drug testing, none of them actually became a law and requirement. Every year there are thousands of dollars distributed to people …show more content…
All of the pros are true and can work if it is put into place. Money can be saved in some areas, people won’t be upset that their money is going towards drugs and alcohol, and the welfare population will be a clean system. People in the working field feel that is isn’t fair that they have to pass a drug test to be offered a job and have to pass to be working. Workers feel it is only fair that welfare is also tested just like they have to. Although the pros are big and key in this argument, the cons stand out also. The welfare applicants can feel discriminated against if these tests were put into law. Just because recipients don’t have a job or make the money that a paid worker does, doesn’t make them any less than anyone else. Being on welfare is temporary for some, just until a job is found and they can be in the working field again. For most welfare receivers, most of the money goes towards children. If the childrens parents make one mistake and don’t pass the test, it isn’t fair that the child should have to suffer because of one mistake. If something like that were to happen, there should be something else instilled that can help the children and make sure they make it through the month. By installing drug testing for welfare applicants, it costs a large amount of money for the tests to be ran, so in all there would be no money …show more content…
The only way this will ever work or be enforced is if people try to take a stand. This can only be passed by the community and the people. “Truly, it is up to the citizens, at large, to determine what they feel are the most important pros and cons of drug testing welfare recipients” (Pros and Cons of Drug Testing Welfare Recipients). After this, speak the side that is important and vote for that side and hopefully that will be enough. (Pros and Cons of Drug Testing Welfare