Drug Tests Possible For Those Who Receive Cash Assistance

In a controversial step to control who receives cash assistance, Senate Bill 69 would have anyone who receives cash assistance take regular drug tests.

Nicole Miller is a mother of four. She said that she is applying for energy assistance to help pay her electric bill.

Soon, she could be among thousands who must be drug tested in order to receive assistance, 10TV’s Kevin Landers reported.

“I think it’s an invasion of privacy,” Miller said. “If you’re a drug user or not, you still have the right to have basic needs.”

Republican Senator Tim Schaffer is the sponsor of Senate Bill 69, if the bill becomes law, anyone 18 years or older would be drug tested in order to receive cash assistance.

“To single out needy families I think, for me, is an issue of equity and fairness an I oppose it,” Bo Chilton, executive director of the Home Energy Assistance Program for Columbus and Franklin County said.

Chilton said that in 2010 19,000 people came to his office for help with their electric bills. He argues that there are already safety measures in place to prevent fraud.

People like Schaffer argue that those safety measures are not enough.

“We’re seeing a lot of evidence that it’s being diverted to drug dealers and is being used for illegal drugs,” Schaffer said. “We’ve got to stop that now.”

Other states have tried to pass legislation similar to Senate Bill 69; they were all turned over because they were deemed unconstitutional.

Ohio is not the only state looking to implement a drug test for those who would receive assistance. Kentucky and Georgia are looking to do the same.

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