What is my position on drug testing welfare recipients to receive Research Paper

What is my position on drug testing welfare recipients to receive their benefits - Research Paper Example Also this topic affects those who are and are not on welfare. Smith, Phillip.  Welfare. Digital image.  Raising Awareness of the Consequences of Prohibition. N.p., 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. In my research I have found to be two sides to this argument â€Å"Proponents say testing would help the recipients and protect taxpayers. Opponents argue that the practice is unconstitutional and mean-spirited.† (Vitter 141) Both parties make really convincing arguments and surely drove me crazy trying to choose a side â€Å"The proponents of drug testing welfare argue that it is irresponsible for any government to fund people who they know are using drugs† (Chelsea 2). It is true that there are drug addicts everywhere but let us faces the facts; they buy their drugs with their own money and do not depend on any government to finance their addiction. It is therefore illogical for any person on welfare to be addicted to any sort of drugs since they cannot even fend for the mselves and instead depend on welfare funds. Governments provide unemployed people with some amount of money to enable them take care of themselves as well as their children. However, it is common that most people on welfare do not use this money well and instead use it on drugs and other activities that are not beneficial at all. Statistics from the Temporary Assistance for the Needy says that around 50% of all people on welfare programs are addicted to drugs. â€Å"The results suggested that, contrary to popular opinion, most welfare recipients were not alcohol- or other drugdependent.† (Chelsea 2) it is also shown that out of this population, 75% cannot fend for themselves because of their dependency on drugs. ... This means that it is because of drugs that almost 40% of all people in welfare programs are on this programs. â€Å"It is therefore illogical for governments and other nongovernmental organizations to give out money to these same people to continue with their lifestyle† (Debate club 11). This is the reason why most people propose that before anyone enters a welfare program, they need to be tested to ensure that we are not funding drug addicts to continue with their addiction problems. Most politicians and other stakeholders argue that if this system is put in place, not only will most of the drug addicts stop due to financial constraints, they will have to so that they can get a chance to get into the program. This is therefore a long-term strategy to reduce drug abuse in the US. Debate club, â€Å"a meeting of the sharpest minds on the days most important topics†, 6 Match . 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013 When this matter got to the senate, it was an arguable issue and most p roponents argued that aid has to be provided based on reciprocal obligation. Reaction to the result from tested prisoners which showed that â€Å"Welfare-receiving arrestees were more likely to test positive for benzodiazepines (16 percent vs. 7 percent,/? < 0.01) and opiates (13 percent vs. 6 percent, p < 0.05)† (Yacoubian, 143)This was aThis means that whenever aid is given, there has to be some obligation by the person receiving this kind of help. â€Å"In West Virginia, delegate CraigBlair wants all welfare recipients to undergo drug testing as a condition of receiving welfare, unemployment compensation,† (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 1)This has to apply