Drug Testing for Welfare, Speech Example

Drug and Substance abuse among welfare recipient has attracted public concern for long. Many studies on substance abuse indicate that it threatens the well-being and the welfare of the recipient. Substance abuse has been linked with decreased employment and increased cases of child abuse or neglect. Psychics’ disorders, such as many depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress are also linked with illegal drug use (Dohan 437). Drug abuse among welfare recipient at large is a threat to economic sufficiency and family role. Drug test among welfare recipients is extremely essential in the reduction of the caseloads.

Welfare assistance should not be a one-way hand out or open entitlement. The state ought to provide such aid based on reciprocal obligation. As taxpayers provide support to those in need, the recipient in return should engage in responsible and constructive behaviors.

It is vital to note that, the act of requiring welfare recipient to cease from using illegal drugs is an indispensable element of reciprocal obligation (Bonds 45). In addition, it is a real issue in that the recent studies indicate that one third of the welfare recipient use illegal drugs.

Finally, I am for the opinion that welfare program warrants robust design in order to   discourage  dependency on the on government whilst promoting self dependency amongst the youth and adults. Scientific evaluation of Florida drug testing requirement showed that welfare recipient who used drugs had earnings that were 30% less than those who did not (Lyle 72). It is quite simple in the sense that the illegal drug used was linked to lower level of work.

Any effort that strives to encourage self-sufficiency cum employment should include step to decrease illegal drug abuse among those in welfare (Newell 247). A well-designed program of drug testing is an effective tool promotes economic sufficiency.

Works Cited

Bonds, Michael. Race and Welfare Reform: The Wisconsin Works (W-2) Experience. Journal of Health & Social Policy. 21. 3 (2006): 37-54. 18p.

Dohan, Daniel, Schmidt, Laura and Henderson, Stuart. From enabling to bootstrapping: welfare workers’ views of substance abuse and welfare reform. Contemporary Drug Problems, 32.3 (2005): 429-455, 27p

Lyle, Lindsey. Florida’s legislation mandating suspicionless drug testing of Tanf beneficiaries: The constitutionality and efficacy of implementing drug testing requirements on the welfare population. Tennessee Journal of Law & Policy. 8.1 (2012) 68-85. 18p.

Newell, Walker. Tax dollars earmarked for drugs? The policy and constitutionality of drug testing welfare recipients. Columbia Human Rights Law Review, 43.1 (2011): 215-254, 40p