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tazzygirl -> RE: Drug testing bill gets pulled when Lawmakers included.!!!! (2/8/2012 8:09:25 PM)
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quote:
After a federal judge blocked a much broader drug-test rule in Florida, Pennsylvania is taking a more careful approach. Instead of mandating drug tests for all welfare recipients, Pennsylvania plans to randomly test only those with a felony drug conviction within the past five years and those on probation for such offenses.
Officials are taking it slow. A pilot program has started in Pennsylvania's Schuylkill County, which could pave the way for a statewide program this summer if it proves cost effective.
Officials are taking it slow. A pilot program has started in Pennsylvania's Schuylkill County, which could pave the way for a statewide program this summer if it proves cost effective.
Opponents claim the proposals are unfair and not cost effective. A Feb. 3 brief by the Center for Law and Social Policy, a low-income advocacy nonprofit, cited a 1996 study that found the proportion of welfare recipients with a substance abuse problem is consistent with the proportion of nonwelfare recipients with the same.
The group said the tests cost between $35 and $76 each to administer, and described them as an "inefficient use of taxpayer money."
"Since few substance abusers are identified in tests, but many are tested, the cost of catching a drug abuser may run between $20,000 and $77,000 per person," the group claimed.
The cost-benefit aspect is one Pennsylvania officials will examine in the pilot program. The Pennsylvania program stems from a bill passed last year.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/04/pennsylvania-officials-roll-out-drug-tests-for-welfare-recipients/#ixzz1lr1o20MM
If those bolded figures are correct, there is no possible way anyone could say this program will make money.
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