Social Welfare vs Urinalysis

Social Welfare vs. Urinalysis

John Estridge

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services 46,700,000 American households collected food stamps in 2011; 5,600,000 collected unemployment insurance and 4,300,000 people are were collecting welfare. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2012). . [ONLINE] Available at: www.hhs.gov. The numbers are staggering, even more staggering is the cost to fund these federal and state programs. While many disagree on the way to proceed from here, the end goals are mostly similar- Reduce the number of those dependent on social welfare programs.

In 2011, Florida state legislation and Gov. Rick Scott passed and signed bill that required all those seeking those seeking “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” or TANF, the states term for welfare, to be required to first submit and pass a drug screening. It wasn’t long before an Orlando, FL judge issued a temporary injunction and a ruling of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta affirmed it. Saunders, K. (February 26th, 2013). State loses another round in fight for drug-testing welfare recipients. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.politifact.com

The judge from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals made no judgment on the constitutionality of the law though they agreed that it showed little promise of the law even reaching the Supreme Court. "There is nothing so special or immediate about the government's interest in ensuring that TANF recipients are drug free so as to warrant suspension of the Fourth Amendment. The only known and shared characteristic of the individuals who would be subjected to Florida's mandatory drug testing program is that they are financially needy families with children.” United States Court of Appeals, Judge Barkett, R. (2013). Affirmed Injunction, Opinion. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/201115258.pdf

Whether you think the money should...