Drug and Substance Abuse Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

Drug and Substance Abuse Testing - Essay Example As the paper outlines, welfare was designed to help the underprivileged in the society. Through welfare, the poor and the disabled population in the society are able to re-enter the workforce and to subsequently care for themselves. The fact is that ever since its incorporation, welfare has been able to assist numerous families and needy individuals in the society. However, the Welfare Reform consequentially contributed to a significant reduction of welfare dependants. Consequentially, regardless of the significant financial savings accrued to the welfare reform, this policy has facilitated the increase in unemployment levels. Moreover, drug testing by itself does nothing to promote employment, economic stability or responsible parenting ("Drug testing for welfare recipients to be considered by state Senate" 6). Recipients point to data showing that those on welfare are far less likely to do drugs than those who are not on welfare. Moreover, the monthly assistance checks barely cover necessities (Dawkins 2011:1). Therefore, the implementation of such a policy is an indication of stereotyping by the legislature, based on the assumption that welfare recipients are more likely to abuse drugs.  The adoption of state drug testing requirements are unconstitutional and a violation of privacy. This issue came out as a result of the Michigan statute that was influenced by the Marchwinski case. In the case, Marchwinski v. Howard, the plaintiff challenged the Michigan state statute, arguing that the case suspicion-less drug testing was an unconstitutional search under the 4th amendment (Schaberg 583). The court held that suspicion-less drug testing is a blanket condition that is relevant in order to receive state assistance.