Pubdate: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK) Copyright: 2010 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: http://www.adn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18 SINGLED OUT Keller's bill on drug testing raises too many questions Rep. Wes Keller of Wasilla wants the state to require both random and suspicion-based drug testing on adults who apply for public assistance, and require treatment for those who fail two tests. His bill raises too many issues -- privacy, just what constitutes a basis of suspicion for testing, why applicants of public assistance are being singled out, and just how to define what level of alcohol consumption interferes with a recipient's ability to get and hold a job. There also are questions of costs, training and cost effectiveness -- just how successful would such a program be in reducing or preventing substance abuse and all its attendant evils -- domestic violence, child abuse and neglect and petty crime? If the state mandates treatment, are enough treatment programs available? And is it fair to single out welfare recipients? In his sponsor statement, Keller writes: "The cost of substance abuse in Alaska is staggering. Crime, child abuse, broken homes, domestic violence, cost of business, auto and industrial accidents, poor productivity, chronic health problems all have a causal relationship with substance abuse. It is irrational to expect the government to provide compassionate assistance without giving it the ability to identify substance abuse problems." You could make the same statement and substitute Permanent Fund dividend checks for compassionate assistance -- "It is irrational to expect the government to issue Permanent Fund dividend checks without giving it the ability to identify substance abuse problems." Ask social service providers and others who work with troubled families about how they brace themselves when the dividend checks go out each fall, and they see spikes in substance abuse, spousal abuse and child neglect. Rep. Keller argues that public assistance is voluntary, so he sees no problem with mandatory testing. Well, so is the dividend program voluntary. No one must apply for a dividend check. Shall we randomly test PFD applicants? Alaskans wouldn't stand for a such a program. Why should poor Alaskans stand for this one? Like Rep. Keller, we'd like to see an end to substance abuse in Alaska. Like Rep. Keller, we don't want to see public money spent to feed toxic habits that multiply individual, family and social misery. But even he grants the bill needs work. Reworked with tighter definitions, any bill must meet the fundamental test of fairness. Rep. Keller said he wants to provide the Department of Health and Social Services another tool to reduce both substance abuse and abuse of public money. This bill looks more like an invitation to litigation than the right tool for the job. BOTTOM LINE: Goal of Keller's bill is worthy; the means raise too many issues. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D