Subjecting welfare recipients to drug tests is the right policy, one that has already been implemented by some states in the nation. The legalization of drug testing for recipients of welfare packages will help identify individuals who need substance abuse treatment; this move will save millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on drug addicts who are prone to mismanage their welfare benefits.

Individuals who are #drugaddicts will be the biggest beneficiaries of this policy; drug or substance abuse is not a problem of the individual alone, but a societal problem that affects everyone. Identifying those individuals with drug abuse problems through mandatory tests will allow the government to provide substance abuse treatment, leading them to a better life and a contributing member to society. This also helps the individual save money as the substance abuse treatment would be provided by the state, not paid for by the individual.

Furthermore, an individual treated of substance abuse will be in a better position to manage funds received from welfare benefits than an individual under the influence of drugs. It is very likely that an individual addicted to a substance will spend the funds on the abused substance. This will amount to the waste of taxpayer dollars on the substances destroying lives. The mandatory drug tests on welfare recipients will ensure that beneficiaries of welfare packages spend the money on the necessities of life instead of on the substance of abuse, ensuring taxpayer dollars are put to a judicious use.

Some people have argued that wholescale drug testing of all welfare applicants is expensive and wasteful. This argument has a level of validity, but instead of the outright cancellation of drug tests for prospective #welfare recipients, the program can be restructured to only cater to applicants suspected of substance abuse, or with a history of substance abuse. This will make the program easier, faster, less expensive, and the original goals of the policy will still be achieved.

Nevertheless, this program must be supported by all, because the benefits of this program will help make society better. It will make sure individuals suffering from substance abuse get treated and receive the help that the need. The program will also ensure welfare benefits are put into good use, and not used to increase substance abuse in society.