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State Representative Jim Buchy
Drug Testing
for Certain Welfare Recipients in Ohio
Ohio, like many other states, has seen an increase in drug abuse and
dependency. With this, we also see a correlation between drug abusers
and poverty. The Cincinnati Enquirer recently did a story on an 18
month investigation into a drug ring that benefited from tax payers’
hard earned money. The investigation uncovered 2 million dollars worth
of food stamps that were being exchanged for cash and drugs.
In an effort to end this kind of fraudulent behavior, we are currently
considering House Bill 298. House Bill 298 would create a pilot
suspicion-based drug testing program for Ohio Works First welfare
recipients. Under this legislation, applicants for unemployment
benefits through Ohio Works First, in participating counties, would be
subject to drug testing in order to receive these welfare benefits.
House Bill 298 is designed not only to prevent tax dollars from being
used for illicit drugs, but to help the individuals and families who
are impacted by drug abuse. Under the bill, individuals who test
positive for drugs would have access to treatment options so they can
get the help they need. Also, the children of an applicant who
fails the test would still be eligible to receive benefits through a
protective payee. This way, children are still protected and the
parents can focus on their recovery.
Opponents have tried to smear House Bill 298 and similar drug testing
initiatives by calling it a war on minorities. However, data tells us
that the majority of Ohioans receiving government subsidies are, in
fact, Caucasian. Plus, this bill provides an avenue for those
denied benefits because of a positive drug test to get clean and get
their lives back on the right track.
With Ohio coming out of the Great Recession ahead of most states, we
need to continue to focus on ways to cut wasteful spending and
fraudulent activity. Through House Bill 298’s suspicion-based
drug testing program we can prevent fraud, end the cycle of
drug-induced poverty, and encourage recovery by keeping tax dollars out
of the hands of criminals.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyseptember2015
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