Is it fair that in order to obtain a job, some people go through drug testing while drug and alcohol abusers receive free, no strings attached, financial assistance (see appendix A)? Food stamps and Medicaid are provided to low and no income Americans who would otherwise do without. According to heritage.org, a majority of the illegal drug use in American adults is tied to unemployed citizens. While there are many people who disagree with testing welfare recipients, the truth is that the pros greatly outweigh the cons. The long term improvements that drug testing will have on the country are substantial. The wellbeing and stability of America’s children, unemployment, fairness across the board for all Americans and the economy; all play substantial rolls in how drug testing welfare recipients is a positive move forward for each U.S. state.
As stated by childwelfare.gov, an estimated 9 percent of America’s children live in a household where alcohol or drugs are being abused by a parent. In another study from the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program (SAPRP), drug use and dependency is more commonly found among women who receive welfare assistance then women who do not. Taking these two studies in to consideration, the nation’s largest problem when concerning the welfare system is the children. Children often have a difficult time at school or with peers, but to add on the additional stress of a substance abusing parent (see appendix B), makes lasting effects on America’s youth. Furthermore, no child should have to deal with a parent or guardian abusing drugs and alcohol. Although some people claim that refusing families with children welfare assistance due to drug abuse is immoral, there are programs that will enable families to...
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National Conference of State Legislatures (2014, March). Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients and Public Assistance. Retrieved May 2014, from http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/drug-testing-and-public-assistance.aspx
Safe Horzion (n.d.). Safe Horizon :: Child Abuse Facts. Retrieved May 2014, from http://www.safehorizon.org/index/what-we-do-2/child-abuse--incest-55/child-abuse-facts-304.html
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by a house subcommittee to cut federal welfare funding to any state that did not drug test those applying for welfare benefits. Similar bills have been introduced in Kansas, Missouri, and West Virginia. Arizona has a limited drug testing program and some conservative politicians are still pushing for more regulations on drug testing (Haerens 1). Having family members that have received government assistance in the past and knowing their background with drug use, I believe it would be good if the
Representatives 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 would use a questionare and interview which would determine
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 for assistance. This will eliminate the abuse of the assistance
There is an ongoing debate over whether or not welfare recipients should be drug tested to receive the benefits. Both sides of the argument have merit. Those who oppose the idea of drug testing say that it is unconstitutional and violates the Fourth Amendment. Furthermore, they claim that this law stereotypes and discriminates against those from low socioeconomic demographics, implying that because they are poor, they must be drug addicts. However, those who support the law note that its intended
There is an ongoing debate over whether or not Welfare recipients should be drug tested to receive the benefits. The lines of reasoning from both sides of this argument have unambiguous points. Those who oppose the idea of drug testing say that it is unconstitutional, and violates the Fourth Amendment. Furthermore, they claim that this law stereotypes and discriminates against the poor , implying that because they are poor, they must be drug addicts. However, individuals that support the law,
There has been an ongoing controversy as to whether welfare recipients should have to have drug testing done. Drug testing will ensure that recipients will not abuse the money they’re given by the government. Having people on welfare take drug test is advantageous because it could save the system money, it would help social workers identify children who are around drug abuse, and it would deter people from purchasing and using illegal drugs; however, it does have a downside such as people who are
way.” Change in the welfare system is a must now more than ever because the government is in such a bad economic state, and it must and should be ensured that the tax payers know exactly where their money is going once those welfare checks are administered. Drug testing is a top priority in welfare reform and it should be; tax payers’ money should not be used for the purchase of illegal substances. The state of Texas and the United States face problems with misuse of welfare funds and there must
for unnecessary things like drugs they stepped in. Now that people who want to apply for assistance or continue with it they are required to do a drug test/drug screening test. Some of those people think it is irrelevant to do so. So it comes down to this one question, should people who are getting assistance or want to be on assistance be drug tested? The law requires random testing of anyone who has had a felony drug conviction in the previous 10 years. For failing a drug test once, a recipient’s
who are unlawfully taking advantage of the welfare system, and by doing so they are ruining it for honest lower class members of society who desperately need financial assistance to survive. Welfare is a government contribution that aids with finances for individuals with incomes that are too insufficient to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. These programs include but are not limited to housing assistance, unemployment benefits, TANF and food stamps. Welfare payment is somewhat unfair to taxpayers,
The Ethics of Welfare Reform On a fundamental level, welfare is the aid provided for those in need in the form of money or necessities. The six most common forms of welfare include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Food Stamp Program (FSP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, housing assistance, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); these programs supply the most essential needs of citizens who live without them. In the ethical regard, welfare promotes economic consistency
who abuse their welfare benefits? The public assistance programs that were created in the United States of America during the 1930’s to provide a safety net for people living below the federal poverty line are being manipulated. Chemical dependency screenings and monthly account audits are currently needed to prevent wasteful spending to support welfare recipients who are using their benefits to purchase illegal drugs and alcohol. I believe drug testing applicants who apply for welfare should become
Government welfare was created to help people who were struggling get back on their feet again. People now abuse this privilege that was meant for good. People expect the government to give them food stamps, free health care, and other necessities of life. By doing this, tax dollars of the working class are taking care of people who will not work. To solve this problem, welfare should be temporary not permanent, prove you are looking for a job, have random drug screenings, and work in community service
to an article, “drug use in the workplace has been linked to low productivity, high absenteeism and increases in the number of workplace accidents (Jeanty, n.d., ¶ 1). Yet, drug screening employees and benefit recipients have become a discussion of privacy invasion and the Fourth Amendment. Many would argue on the basis of defamation from their employers and how they have been singled out from the rest of the employees. The government attempted to cease the use of illegal drugs in the workplace
Welfare is the modern day Robin Hood, robbing the rich and middle working class to support the poor. Our current welfare system has reached a record level of over 109,000,000 means tested recipients. (U.S. Census) Means tested is a process in which the government analyzes your ability to take care of your family without their assistance through subsidized aid. Some of the more popular government aid programs include Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Medicaid, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Meth, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin are among the top drugs that many people use and utilized as money making tactics. As we all know, drugs are found and they are heavily used in low income areas, not only do they pose a significant effect on one’s health but they pose a significant effect on our economy. Generally it is perceived that those who reside in low income areas are the ones who resort to drugs, evidently they are. Likewise, they are also the ones who are assumed to be enlisted on government