Why don't we drug test for welfare or any government programs?

To what end? There are a million ways around drug tests, and it will just suck more money off the taxpayers. It's not like you can 'pop' a random urine test on these people. Some don't even have phones. The only time that you are sure to see them is when they first apply for welfare. If urine tests were mandatory, they would clean out thier systems before turning in the application.

the cost of the testing far exceeds the savings from denying benefits. plus once you find a drug abuser, you are morally obligated to offer treatment for even more $$$. this Republican mantra has been attempted in several red states to disastrous result. As much as Republicans hate druggies, they hate enlarging government by spending even more money. the drug test adds more paperwork and regulations plus bureaucratic oversight to implement on top of the programs we already have. The states are supposed to have an intake counseling and qualification review of people enrolling in any program that involves federal funding, like SNAP. it is not an issue of "pretty please" although some thoughtful people have found ways to fraudulently scam the system. if you are smart enough to beat the system, then you are smart enough to not fall for drug abuse. indeed results from the 7 states that tried this, all found that the drug rate among welfare recipients was LESS than for the general public, in some cases far less.

A great idea, and I wonder if this isn't being implemented , at least somewhere, currently? What would be even greater, is if you looked into this and did a quick survey of welfare and/or other programs to see what's currently being done or not done. Then, armed with the information, contact your local congress people and see if you can't start something positive going. Really good thought. Good luck and good wishes,

I think it would be an enormous waste of money to drug test routinely. Florida did that years back and the relatively few cases they found and money they saved didn't come anywhere near the cost of testing. However, I do think that the welfare department should be able to drug test any person if they have reason to suspect someone to be using. To me that would make far more sense.

How about drug testing for ANYONE who wants a tax credit, or is avoiding tax by sheltering money offshore? That is also subsidized by the taxpayers.

Drug testing costs too much and penalizes the majority of recipients who are not abusers.