New figures reveal less than one percent of Florida welfare applicants tested positive for drugs under a new law. But nearly 1,600 applicants did not take the drug test for unknown reasons.
New figures reveal less than one percent of Florida welfare applicants tested positive for drugs under a new law. But nearly 1,600 applicants did not take the drug test for unknown reasons.
A federal judge has blocked Florida's controversial new law requiring that welfare applicants pass a drug test to receive benefits.
A federal judge has blocked Florida's controversial new law requiring that welfare applicants pass a drug test to receive benefits.
TAMPA (FOX 13) -
The ACLU called Governor Scott's order
to drug test people on welfare a 'debacle.' And newly released court records
reveal how it will challenge the order in court. The ACLU claims the order is
unconstitutional, and also costs applicants their privacy and dignity.
The records cite the following examples of the program being mismanaged:
- Patients with failed kidneys were
directed to provide urine samples through a catheter.
- Applicants who failed the test were
investigated for child abuse.
- Results with personal information like
Social Security numbers were faxed to the wrong locations.
- A mother who had major surgery was
investigated for child abuse because the drug test detected her legally
prescribed pain medicine.
- In one case, a Florida Department of Children and Families approved lab rep
showed up at a mother's home unannounced. The documents show he directed her to
leave her children alone with him while she produced a urine sample.
- The court records also show labs
required prepayment online from applicants who did not have credit cards.
- At one point, three counties had no
approved labs, and the state did not cover transportation costs.
The state conducted the drug tests for
four months last year. around 4,000 people went through and about two and a half
percent of them failed it. That's 108 people.
Drug abuse was not nearly as pervasive
as suspected.
Governor Scott ordered the drug tests
last year. They were challenged by the ACLU and suspended by a judge.
The state is defending the program and
appealing the suspension. Governor Scott has said drug testing welfare
applicants help stabilize families and deter drug use. The state also points
out the tests are not required, because people are not required to apply for
welfare benefits.
