Welfare drug testing becomes state law : News : ConnectMidMissouri.com

Welfare drug testing becomes state law

Posted: 07.12.2011 at 5:12 PM

Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation requiring drug screening for some people trying to get certain welfare benefits.

Many of our viewers headed to the KRCG Mid-Missouri Facebook page to discuss the new law.

It applies to the program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Officials with reasonable cause to believe an applicant is using illegal drugs can administer the test. If someone refuses or tests positive, they must complete a substance abuse program. If they don't, they won't be eligible for benefits for three years.

During the session, lawmakers battled over the issue. The House originally said one year, but the Senate pushed it to three.

Critics said the legislation would have little deterrent value without treatment and that it unfairly targets one group of people. Supporters said people who use illegal drugs should not get public assistance.

Here in Mid-Missouri many of you shared your opinion on our previous stories about welfare drug testing.

mommy7 said on Feb. 1: "I think that this is a awesome idea. The only improvement that I could think of is to involve children's services so that they could step in to make sure the children are in a safe environment and that they could get the parents to go to some kind of drug rehab. I think this way it is a win win situation for the kids, families and the state and tax payers."

ls said on Feb. 1: "As a tax paying welfare recipient, I don't want to pay for someones drug habit either. However Idon't want kids to suffer either. The whole system is setup to discourage individual resposibility and leaving the system. A family can't have more than $1000 in assets for TANF, $2000 for foodstamps. How can a family save enough to get off the program and be fully functional independantly with these limits? The whole system needs to be overhauled......How many of you can live on $235 to $400 a month?"

JustMO said on May 12: "Do I want people on welfare buying drugs? No. But, this law has many problems. Who decides what is "reasonable" cause? Some overworked caseworker who doesn't have any traingin to spot the signs of such things? It doesn't take household benefits, thank God, but it does have the effect of lowering the total household income. People will still have income and if they are serious users, they'll find a way to get the drugs. It provides no real incentive to not do drugs, just to not get caught. And maybe most importantly, it's going to cost a million dollars to run this program. I guarantee, it won't come close to paying for itself with the benefits that get cut off."

What do you think? Do you agree with this bill? Do you believe this bill will hurt welfare recipients?

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