Mandatory Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients and Public...

Have you ever questioned the tax taken out of your hard-earned money? Questions similar to that are where the money is going and if it is being used properly. In the U.S. news recently those questions have been on a great deal of State’s minds; reaching back to 2003, this issue has been brought up time and time again. The main topic of tax money is the use of assistance money and are the recipients really using the money for the right reasons. There are many problems with the assistance program but the one that comes to mind the most is that many people abuse the money given to buy the essentials and provide, for their family for illegal drugs. The solution that many state representatives have come up with is drug testing as a requirement†¦show more content†¦This determination comes about as many more people are turning to the protection that financial aid provides to get them through the recession. â€Å"Poverty and civil liberties advocates fear the strategy could backfire, discouraging some people from seeking financial aid and making already desperate situations worse† (â€Å"States† FoxNews.com 1). Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as TANF, is a program that provides monthly cash benefits to families with the intention of moving adults into employment in two years, max. Each state has the right to set eligibility limits and benefit levels. On average, a single parent family of three receives about $200 a month. TANF recipients in Arizona includes 84,000 people in 38,500 households the majority of that being children. The state’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee has found that the cost of drug testing for one year would charge 3.4 million dollars. This amount does not comprise the cost of treatment for the users (â€Å"States† Alcoholism 6). Barbara Hoberock states: In Oklahoma, recipients use debit like cards, electronic-benefit transfer cards. They are given a certain amount monthly for their mon thly benefit coverage; they cannot withdraw more than they are given. In 2009, 39,145 people were getting assistance through TANF. (1) Even though this just seems to be about saving money, it does have the underlying purpose of seeking those who need assistance with the drug abuse problem. EveryShow MoreRelatedMandatory Drug Testing Should Be Banned1365 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Mandatory drug testing has been and ongoing controversial issue over the most recent years. Mandatory drug testing has been subjected to students, athletes, and employees all over the country. However a lot of speculation has been made whether or not welfare recipients in particular should be subjected to mandatory drug testing. According to Besonen, programs such as welfare were created in the 1930s to temporarily aid struggling Americans to help get them back up on their feet. (BesonenRead MoreShould Drug Testing Welfare Recipients? Essay1707 Words   |  7 Pagesuse of drugs is an immense problem in today’s society. The big question is, is it a problem within the welfare system? Drug use isn’t just a problem of poverty; it’s found among all groups and classes. As said in Jamelle Bouies article, The Myth of Drug Use and Welfare, â€Å"The myth of welfare recipients spending their benefits on drugs is just that—a myth. And indeed, in Utah, only 12 peo ple out of 466—or 2.5 percent—showed evidence of drug use after a mandatory screening.† Drug testing welfare recipientsRead MoreDrug Testing : A Controversial Issue Right Now1439 Words   |  6 PagesRUNNING HEAD: Mandatorily Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Does More Harm Than Good Mandatorily Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Does More Harm Than Good Clare M. Pitlik Marist High School Author Note First paragraph: Introduction to history of drug testing welfare recipients Second paragraph: Explains why drug testing welfare recipients is unconstitutional Third paragraph: Explains why drug testing welfare recipients is costly Fourth paragraph: Rebuttals Fifth paragraph:Read MoreDrug Testing Essay1200 Words   |  5 PagesThere is a big question floating in the air around a lot of people today, â€Å"Is drug testing the welfare constitutional or not?† When dealing with this we come to many road blocks. 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Roosevelt created the Social Security Act in 1935, then amended it in 1939 to create programs to assist families with unemployment compensation, and to create government agenciesRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Homelessness1674 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual that has no primary daytime or nighttime residence. Its residence is where it is not designated for human beings like us to sleep in such as public places or private. Some places may be buses, parks, benches, abandoned cars, transportation stations, trains, etc.†¦ Knowing the life situation they go through should homeless people be alcohol and drug tested before getting any federal help? Scott Walker is a guy who stand out in the crowded field to strive individuals with tough life situation andRead MoreDrug Testing the Less Fortunate 1023 Words   |  4 PagesShould drug testing be a necessity for all state and federal aid programs? Drug testing welfare recipients have been a major issue across the United States for a few years now. Many indicate that if working class people are subject to a test prior to hire or randomly during the duration of employment, why should those that don’t have to work for money not have the same treatment? The government estimated that random annual drug testing for welfare recipients would cost each taxpayer an additionalRead MoreWelfare Reform : Social Welfare Policy1257 Words   |  6 Pages Social Welfare Policy Social Welfare Policy Analysis Eric Dean University of Arkansas Introduction Several states have recently begun to enact legislation that requires welfare recipients to submit to drug tests before they are eligible to receive any public assistance. The purpose of mandatory drug testing is to prevent the potential abuse of taxpayer money, help individuals with drug problems, and ensure that public money is not subsidizing drug habits (Wincup, 2014). WhileRead MoreDrug Testing1837 Words   |  8 PagesMandatory Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Introduction Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients is a controversial issue. Should the government hold people accepting government entitlement’s accountable for illegal drug use or would this type of action cross the boundary of civil liberties into an invasion of privacy? The government has a vested interest in getting welfare recipients back into the working population. Holding welfare recipients accountable for illicit drug use onlyRead MoreEssay about Drug Testing For Missouri Welfare Recipients907 Words   |  4 PagesRepresentatives passed a bill and sent it to the senate that would require drug testing for those receiving state Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) funds. Funding from food stamps, medicare, and public housing would not be affected by this bill (Keller – House). According to Columbia Tribune reporter Rudi Keller, the bill is very similar to the Arizona law which is the only other state that tests welfare recipients. Missouri and Arizona woul d use a questionare and interview which would determine