Drug Testing the Unemployed Could Cost $30 Million Yearly

Drug Testing the Unemployed Could Cost $30 Million Yearly


CORPUS CHRISTI - State lawmakers are considering a bill that will
require anyone applying for unemployment benefits to be tested for
drugs. The goal is to keep drug-users from getting state money, but
we're taking a look at the cost involved in testing these thousands of
people.
At the local Workforce Solutions center, there are a mix of many
people looking for work. Some are drawing unemployment payments, but not
all of them.

Maria Coronado worked for years in human resources; at times she says
she was even called on to let employees know they were being laid off.
Imagine her surprise when the tables were turned on her.
"I had to lay people off when I worked in HR. I hated doing it, and I hated it when it was done to me," Coronado said.
Coronado says she is drawing unemployment payments from the state. We
asked her what she thought about being drug-tested before being
eligible.

"At first I thought, why not? But, then I think wait a minute, who's
going to pay for it? When someone is let go for drugs they're not even
eligible for unemployment," she said.

Coronado points out the many requirements already in place for receiving benefits probably go far in weeding out drug-users.
"I don't see them trying to fill out applications and their unemployment will run out so fast," she said.
Everyone we spoke with at Workforce Solutions downtown says they're
fine with being tested. They already have several other requirements and
don't seem to mind adding one more to the list.

Anna Mendez is looking for work as receptionist or secretary. She's been drawing unemployment for just over a month.
"No, I wouldn't mind at all. It just makes everything safer," she said.
"When you do the numbers that shows a whole different area that you
would definitely need a funding source," said Monika De La Garza,
spokeswoman for the centers.

We wanted to break down the numbers for how much that would cost in
our area. There are currently 8,000 filing claims to get unemployment
benefits. Drug test costs vary and can be anywhere from $50 to $100 per
person. So, just for the Coastal Bend that could be as much as $800,000.

The Texas Workforce Commission ran the numbers for the entire state.
They estimate a cost of around $30,000,000 a year for Texas to test
benefit applicants. Part of that cost comes from from the TWC's estimate
that 20 percent of those disqualified will appeal causing more legal
costs, according to the fiscal note added to the bill.

Coronado, Mendez and the others we spoke with do agree that drug-users should not be getting unemployment payments.
But, the legislature will have to decide if the $30,000,000 a year price tag is worth it.
Until then, Coronado says she is keeping positive that there is a job
out there for her, and she hopes to find it with the help of Workforce
Solutions.
"Getting unemployment is not something I want to do. I'd rather work. I'd much rather be working," Coronado said.
http://www.kristv.com/news/drug-testing-the-unemployed-could-cost-30-million-yearly/

This would be such a waste of money that could be used to help people with.

It just comes across as punitive to me. You lose a job through no fault of your own so we will now drug test you?

I do favor mandatory drug testing for all who serve in elected office though

This is awful. What kind of people do they think we are - we got laid off NOT fired!

Need2Bworking wrote:
I do favor mandatory drug testing for all who serve in elected office though

You got that right and make it random along with a physician's record of medicines prescribed. I bet we'd be surprised at the drug abuse.

After all, they work for us!

51/50 most of our elected officials. They craaaaazy!