Krystina's Interview

Problem: Drug testing for welfare

Your Name: Tom Marini (Dad)

The Problem: Drug Testing for Welfare
Are you okay with us putting a picture of you up here next to your interview?
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Is this a problem you think is important?  Why/ Why not?

-Yes, by testing them you know the money is being utilized for there families and not for drugs or alcohol. Hiring in the health care field requires drug testing along with many other occupations. So if it required for a job then it should be required to qualify on taxpayer funded assistance.

Do you think others in our community this is an important problem? why/ why not?

Yes, for the same reason that I stated for the previous question. From my experience the majority of American citizens believe in welfare assistance for those who really need it as long as the money is being used properly.

What policy, if any, does government now have to deal with this problem?

None to my knowledge, but there used to be a “work for welfare program” to prove that you were looking for a job to receive the benefits. I believe the current administration has eliminated this program where you do not need proof.

What are advantages of this policy?

The advantages could be that it would reduce drug dependency if the people really needed the money. It will make the people get help to become drug free and sober. 

What are disadvantages of this policy?

Some disadvantages for it would be it will cost the government to give drug tests but some of the cost would be made up by the people that test positive.

How might the policy be improved?

Two strike policy. If you test  positive twice then you are no longer eligible for the benefits

Does the policy need to be replaced?  why?

A policy should be implemented.

What disagreements, if any, about the policy exist in this community?

Some people do not believe that we need to be drug tested.

Where can I get more information about this problem and the different positions people take on this problem?

Online

Review

Tom has very strong beliefs when it comes to having to be drug tested in order to get welfare. He believes that the welfare money should be used towards the families that really need it. He does believe that there are people that use the system and abuse it. If there was a drug test required for welfare then it would eliminate the possibility that people would be using it towards drugs and alcohol. I do think it was a good idea that if the person tested positive twice than they are no longer allowed to use the system anymore. It allows the person to test positive once and still be able to try and change for the better. I also agree with him when he stated that if there was a law that stated about testing positive and not being allowed in the program anymore because of this, more people would be forced to become clean and sober. I also could not believe that there was a program "work for welfare program"  that made sure the people that were on welfare was still looking for a job. But this administration eliminated this program that the country would benefit from. One problem about giving drug tests to everyone that is on welfare is the government spending That it would be to much money. The government would be saving money from the people that test positive, they would not have to give them money.
review