Court Decisions 
Court Decisions
Sandra Shemick
HSM 240
February 15, 2015
Erin Akins
Court Decisions
I chose Drug testing programs for welfare applicants. The reason I chose this is because I happen to agree with doing so. I disagree with the junction that the judge put in saying that it is “likely unconstitutional”. I feel this because I am a strong supporter in helping those who are in need, not those that are abusing the help. As a mother of two, and have been on state assistance for help, I often would see those that are known offenders of the system, and find it very disheartened over the fact that we are helping those that are not willing to help themselves.
I strongly feel that state welfare should have the right to ensure that the funds being used are going to those that are not using it to provide for their drug habits. State assistance is for those that are in need and have no other way to support their children. By testing applicants it shows that the applicants are accepting of the regulations. I would hope that the thought of stepping up as a parent knowing that if I was not clean, my children would be the ones not getting their needs met, and it being at my fault! Why would a parent put their needs over that of a child? On the same side of the coin I understand how someone would feel that they are being looked at as one that does drugs when they do not. However, if the person was not using, they should be willing to go through with the testing.
Being that this study was from 1999, I wanted to see what, if any more has been done with the program for testing. I found that other states had also tried incorporating drug testing policies, with not a great success rate. Recently in December 2014, Michigan Governor has signed a set of bills that would begin a yearlong pilot program that would screen welfare applicants. Since this time, there are at least 18 states that have come up with a pilot program to test applicants. But again, the process of the bill is being
Sandra Shemick
HSM 240
February 15, 2015
Erin Akins
Court Decisions
I chose Drug testing programs for welfare applicants. The reason I chose this is because I happen to agree with doing so. I disagree with the junction that the judge put in saying that it is “likely unconstitutional”. I feel this because I am a strong supporter in helping those who are in need, not those that are abusing the help. As a mother of two, and have been on state assistance for help, I often would see those that are known offenders of the system, and find it very disheartened over the fact that we are helping those that are not willing to help themselves.
I strongly feel that state welfare should have the right to ensure that the funds being used are going to those that are not using it to provide for their drug habits. State assistance is for those that are in need and have no other way to support their children. By testing applicants it shows that the applicants are accepting of the regulations. I would hope that the thought of stepping up as a parent knowing that if I was not clean, my children would be the ones not getting their needs met, and it being at my fault! Why would a parent put their needs over that of a child? On the same side of the coin I understand how someone would feel that they are being looked at as one that does drugs when they do not. However, if the person was not using, they should be willing to go through with the testing.
Being that this study was from 1999, I wanted to see what, if any more has been done with the program for testing. I found that other states had also tried incorporating drug testing policies, with not a great success rate. Recently in December 2014, Michigan Governor has signed a set of bills that would begin a yearlong pilot program that would screen welfare applicants. Since this time, there are at least 18 states that have come up with a pilot program to test applicants. But again, the process of the bill is being