Food Stamps and Drug Testing
Controversy has surrounded this issue for decades and it seems to be an changing outlook on the subject. When belts get tightened and budget cuts are made issues of this caliber are brought to the forefront. Republican lawmakers in several states feel that food stamp recipients should be held to the same standards as those in the workforce.
Although arguments are made that the number of people abusing drugs who are receiving food stamps parallels that of those in the workforce, recent numbers would prove otherwise. Civil rights activists claim it violates rights and the costs to deliver the tests are greater than the savings of keeping drug addicts out of the food stamp system.
For example in Missouri an average about ten percent of the population (475,000) needs a drug rehab in Missouri. Nearly one million Missourians were using food stamps, which is more than one-sixth of the state's population as January 2009. The average cost to treat a substance addicted individual is $1,346 vs. a $17,300 cost to society not to provide drug addiction treatment.
The has been a steady increase in food stamp applicants since 1999 which drastically increased in 2008, according to a January 2009 report from the Missouri Department of Social Services. There are approximately 100,000 food stamp recipients with a substance abuse problem which makes up over 20% of the addicted population in Missouri.
When you consider the costs to administer the test will run somewhere between 3.5 to 7 million dollars versus the burden of substance abuse and addiction treatment to the o state government at $1.3 billion annually, it's a no brainer. Additional costs passed onto Missouri taxpayers is around $7 billion. Most of the burden lies in the criminal justice and education systems. As it stands now the Missouri state government spends more money dealing with the burdens of substance abuse than on its prevention or treatment.
Legislatures are working to implement such laws in other states like Oregon, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Nebraska. While the purpose of the food stamps is the help needy families get on their feet is good and many using the system do so legitimately, others with addiction problems abuse the system, taxing the system and depriving others who desperately need and deserve help.
Missouri drug rehabs are full of people who are burdening friends or family who at times eventually give up. This sends the addict into the arms of social services and onto the funded programs. Curbing addiction with preventive measures by asking someone to be employable, responsible and deserving of help should be encouraged. On average drug addicts and alcoholics have substance abuse and addiction problems well over a decade before seeking or being coerced into treatment.
Although arguments are made that the number of people abusing drugs who are receiving food stamps parallels that of those in the workforce, recent numbers would prove otherwise. Civil rights activists claim it violates rights and the costs to deliver the tests are greater than the savings of keeping drug addicts out of the food stamp system.
For example in Missouri an average about ten percent of the population (475,000) needs a drug rehab in Missouri. Nearly one million Missourians were using food stamps, which is more than one-sixth of the state's population as January 2009. The average cost to treat a substance addicted individual is $1,346 vs. a $17,300 cost to society not to provide drug addiction treatment.
The has been a steady increase in food stamp applicants since 1999 which drastically increased in 2008, according to a January 2009 report from the Missouri Department of Social Services. There are approximately 100,000 food stamp recipients with a substance abuse problem which makes up over 20% of the addicted population in Missouri.
When you consider the costs to administer the test will run somewhere between 3.5 to 7 million dollars versus the burden of substance abuse and addiction treatment to the o state government at $1.3 billion annually, it's a no brainer. Additional costs passed onto Missouri taxpayers is around $7 billion. Most of the burden lies in the criminal justice and education systems. As it stands now the Missouri state government spends more money dealing with the burdens of substance abuse than on its prevention or treatment.
Legislatures are working to implement such laws in other states like Oregon, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Nebraska. While the purpose of the food stamps is the help needy families get on their feet is good and many using the system do so legitimately, others with addiction problems abuse the system, taxing the system and depriving others who desperately need and deserve help.
Missouri drug rehabs are full of people who are burdening friends or family who at times eventually give up. This sends the addict into the arms of social services and onto the funded programs. Curbing addiction with preventive measures by asking someone to be employable, responsible and deserving of help should be encouraged. On average drug addicts and alcoholics have substance abuse and addiction problems well over a decade before seeking or being coerced into treatment.
Source...