Pubdate: Sun, 20 Feb 2011
Source: Marion Star, The (OH)
Copyright: 2011 The Marion Star.
Contact: http://www.marionstar.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.marionstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2991
Author: Carl Burnett Jr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

BILL PROPOSES DRUG TESTING FOR ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS

LANCASTER - People in Ohio asking for government assistance from the 
state would have to be screened for drugs if a bill introduced last 
week in the Ohio General Assembly is passed and signed into law.

Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, introduced Senate Bill 69, which 
would establish drug-testing requirements for adults who apply for 
need-based programs.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville.

"I've got a lot of people, from police agencies, courts, and human 
service agencies, saying there are a lot of people out there needing 
assistance," Schaffer said. "But some are not getting shoes on their 
feet, food on their tables or shirts on their backs, because the 
money is being hijacked to feed drug addictions."

Schaffer, who represents Fairfield, Hocking, Licking and Perry 
counties and part of Pickaway County, introduced a similar bill last 
session, but he said it languished in the Finance Committee.

The bill would deal with people applying for state programs that 
provide cash assistance, medical assistance, housing assistance, food 
assistance or energy assistance.

Schaffer said the bill does not specify who will pay for the 
screenings, which can cost from $15 to $20.

"I've talked to people in the industry dealing with this, and it 
seems like it is a relatively easy process," Schaffer said.

Carl Tatman, director of operations with ETAT Enterprises in 
Lancaster, said his company performs two types of instant drug 
analyses for employers, courts and security forces in central Ohio.

The $15 test is for cocaine, marijuana, opiates/morphine, amphetamine 
and methamphetamine. A $20 version adds PCP, benzodiazepine, 
barbiturates, oxycodone and ecstasy.

Tatman said the tests are 98 percent accurate.

"But I would suggest that any positives that are found also then be 
checked by a laboratory," Tatman said.

Schaffer said that no matter who pays for the test, it would be a benefit.

"I think either way it would benefit the people getting the aid and 
state," Schaffer said. "If the state pays for tests, we might be able 
to criminally charge someone for trying to get benefits who isn't 
qualified and that would save the state thousands."

Schaffer said the issue of who pays for the testing would have to be 
addressed while it is in committee.

"But the whole goal of this is to ensure that people who need help 
actually get the help," Schaffer said. "We want the assistance to go 
toward getting food on someone's table, shoes on their feet and 
shirts on their back. We don't want it going to some drug dealer."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom