Welfare drug test's effects feared

By CATHERINE WHITTENBURG | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 15, 2011

TALLAHASSEE -- Welfare applicants who fail a new mandatory drug test might not only lose their claim to government assistance — they may also be investigated for child abuse.

That's according to a draft of a state agency's rules for implementing the new drug screening law, which takes effect July 1.

The law requires that anyone applying for Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families take a drug test. Those who fail the test will become ineligible to receive those benefits for one year. Gov. Rick Scott signed the law May 31, saying it safeguards tax dollars from being spent on drugs instead of families.

Not included in the law, but appearing in a draft of the state Department of Children & Families' rules for enforcing it, is another mandate, concerning child welfare.

DCF, the agency that handles the welfare benefits, states in its draft rules that any applicant testing positive for drugs must be referred to the Florida Abuse Hotline, the state's "central reporting center for allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation for all children and vulnerable adults," as described on its website.

Anyone applying for the benefits who is referred to the hotline may face "a child protective services investigation," according to DCF's draft rules.  FULL STORY- http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/jun/15/menewso1-welfare-tests-effects-feared-ar-237463/

It makes me wonder how bad the degeneration of our society is going to get.