Tennessee officials: Few positive results in new welfare drug screening

Drug testing tile
Drug testing tile

NASHVILLE -- Officials say there have been only a few positive results in the state's new program to drug-test welfare recipients.

The Tennessean cited the Department of Human Services in reporting that 37 out of 16,017 people who applied for Families First cash assistance benefits have tested positive for drugs since the law took effect six months ago. State data shows another 81 discontinued the application process after filling out a drug screening questionnaire.

Opponents of the law say it singles out poor people for drug testing over others who get federal benefits.

"You are requiring more than 16,000 people to be screened for drug use based on the assumption that people who receive public assistance are more likely to use illegal drugs," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. "There's no evidence to indicate that's true.

"We support the need to combat drug addiction, but if the state truly wants to combat addiction, they should use their resources to fund drug treatment programs rather than blocking access to public benefit applicants, because we're talking about providing for families."

Supporters of the law say they are pleased with the results.

"That's 37 people who should not be receiving taxpayer subsidies, because they are not behaving as they are supposed to," said state Rep. Glen Casada, a Republican from Franklin. "If the taxpayers are going to support you there are certain criteria you need to adhere to. This is a good use of taxpayer money."

Tennessee is one of 12 states that require welfare applicants to go through a drug screening and testing process.

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