Maine attorney general approves welfare drug-testing program, if changes are made

the attorney general finally approved the program, provided the Department of Health and Human Services make some changes to the plan. One such change requires applicants of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program fill out a questionnaire that may help determine if applicants are likely to be taking illegal drugs. The questionnaire is an effort to avoid the types of lawsuits that have been plaguing welfare programs in other states. (Florida’s welfare policy was rejected outright in a federal appeals court after all welfare applicants were required to pay for their own drug tests. The Maine drug tests are expected to cost $62 per person, presumably paid for by the DHHS.) The questionnaire will ask applicants if they have been convicted of any drug-related felonies; if they have, they will be required to undergo drug tests. If an applicant fails the drug test, he or she may still be eligible for welfare if they get assistance through a rehabilitation or substance abuse program. Welfare drug testing programs have not proven to be very effective. Other states that have unveiled similar programs — such as Tennesee and Utah — have found that only 1 to 2 percent of those applying for welfare benefits have tested positive for illegal substances. Maine’s DHHS plans to begin drug-testing welfare applicants, but is not sure when they will get started.]]>