In 2011, the state of Florida implemented a drug testing policy for certain individuals receiving welfare benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This policy, which required recipients to pay for the drug tests themselves and then seek reimbursement if they passed, was controversial from the outset and faced numerous legal challenges. Despite these challenges, the policy was implemented and, according to a report by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), it cost the state approximately $178 million between 2011 and 2014.
One of the main arguments in favor of drug testing welfare recipients is that it ensures that public assistance is being used appropriately and not being misused to fund illegal drug use. Proponents of the policy argue that it promotes personal responsibility and helps to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to subsidize drug use.
However, opponents of the policy argue that it is an unnecessary and intrusive invasion of privacy, and that it unfairly targets low-income individuals who are already struggling to make ends meet. They point out that there is no evidence to suggest that drug use is more prevalent among welfare recipients than it is among the general population, and that the policy disproportionately affects those who are struggling to make ends meet.
In addition to the ethical and moral arguments against the policy, there are also significant financial costs associated with drug testing welfare recipients. As mentioned, the DCF report found that the policy cost the state of Florida approximately $178 million between 2011 and 2014. This cost includes the cost of administering the tests, as well as the cost of reimbursing those who passed the tests.
Overall, the debate over drug testing welfare recipients is a complex and controversial issue, with valid arguments on both sides. While proponents of the policy argue that it promotes personal responsibility and helps to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to subsidize drug use, opponents argue that it is an unnecessary and intrusive invasion of privacy that unfairly targets low-income individuals. Additionally, the policy has significant financial costs, with the state of Florida spending approximately $178 million on the policy between 2011 and 2014.
Florida didn't save money by drug testing welfare recipients, data shows
The Root article has an either idiotic or purposely misleading quote, which has still not been corrected The results: Ninety-eight percent passed. I am an American citizen and donot abuse any illegal substance yet the assistance was not there for my family. The link originates from the site Doug linked to The linked case MARCHWINSKI v. The case then went to rehearing, where the Court of Appeals split six to six. Compared to other federal spending, such as defense spending, this is a small percentage of the overall federal budget. I believe congress and the senate need to get drug screened every week and go through TSA public not red carpet style screenings with a white rubber glove treatment, everytime they enter a public building. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.
Florida’s ‘Drug Tests For Welfare Recipients’ Law Is, Most Likely, Unconstitutional
Submissions must be either articles, videos or sound clips. The suspicionless tests, according to respondents, signify that candidates, if elected, will be fit to serve their constituents free from the influence of illegal drugs. Ok lets use hair. My mom is on welfare, and she claims she quit smoking weed this past year. See our harm rule No spam or solicitation Spam is bad. Mandvi, a former Tampa resident who attended the University of South Florida, used the news conference to criticize a policy implemented by Scott in July that requires all welfare recipients to pass annual drug tests to collect benefits. A federal judge put the policy on hold after the ACLU filed suit that summer, and the 11th U.
98% of Florida welfare recipients pass drug testing, $178 million spent on testing : politics
Reagan described one woman in Chicago who used multiple names, addresses, and telephone numbers to collect food stamps and other government benefits. A temporary injunction by a federal judge in Orlando temporarily halted the law in October 2011, saying that the law could violate the Constitution's Fourth Amendment. Welfare programs have restrictions in place to prevent this type of incident from happening. You don't want none of your hard earned tax dollars goin to those crack addicted welfare queens now do ya? Do you have more questions? Other states use "suspicion-based testing" - only requiring testing of individuals suspected of drug abuse - which hasn't been found unconstitutional, according to the NCSL. A ninety day clearing time was apparently too long to wait for 2% of those anxious to receive welfare. Additionally, randomized testing of recipients of state aid does nothing to aid in the enforcement of anti-drug laws because it is far too broad to be of any use to law enforcement. Further more this test is only for people who are applying to the Also, while other programs including scholarship programs are not tested, if the people who receive the benefits of those other programs are arrested and charged with possession of illegal substances, they are more than likely dropped from the program.
Florida Taxpayers Saving Big on Drug Testing for Welfare Cash Assistance
The state's net loss? A tie meant the District Court decision finding the law unconsitutional was affirmed. One final myth about welfare is that the programs are wasting taxpayer money. That 178 million figure is for the total cost of the cash assistance program, not the cost of testing. It is government support intended to help people meet their basic needs like food and shelter. Nuff Said The Blindman Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Times-Union readers want to know: I read on Facebook that a new law in Florida requires welfare recipients to get drug tests and, as a result, thousands of welfare recipients have left the state. Did you already know this in advance, and you turned a blind eye to the results, or did your education fail you.
'Daily Show' Correspondent Asks Florida Gov. Rick Scott to Urinate in Cup for Drug Testing
Some programs, such as TANF, actually require that recipients work; these workers just need assistance until they are financially stable. Those expenditures are canceled out by the savings the state makes by not making welfare payments to those who test positive. Some of the tests that are used to test for drugs are not that accurate, then what? Unless you want someone looking real close into your habits maybe you should let this drop. Rather than simply deny any and all welfare, why not consider conditional welfare with continued eligibility based upon close monitoring and subsequent drug rehabilitation? Follow AMA specific rules In order to make sure that AMAs are enjoyable events for all involved, AMA threads are more strictly moderated. The governor quickly replied that he has done it plenty of times, before attempting to dismiss Mandvi.
Drug testing of welfare recipients: Over 12 months, the money saved on all rejected applicants would add up to $40,800 to $60,000 for a program that state analysts have predicted will cost $178 million this fiscal year. : florida
What the results actually show is that, EVEN KNOWING IN ADVANCE THAT THEY WILL BE TESTED, 2% of those tested failed the test. The initiative may save the state a few dollars anyway, bearing out one of Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law last year, 25 states have considered similar legislation, Newton said. Rick Scott argued that this law was necessary because, he said, The utter absurdity of this law is magnified when you realize how much it cost the state of Florida to run this program. That comes up to ~492k a year.
