CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that mandates drug testing for welfare recipients.
“I expect people who live off my tax money to be drug tested,” said Delegate Scott Cadle, R-Mason. “I don’t want them laying around on welfare and drugs.”
House members voted 91-8 to make West Virginia one of a growing number of states that require drug testing for people who apply for cash benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The Senate passed the bill (SB 6) last month.
Lawmakers predict that the program will identify drug users, cost relatively little money and help combat West Virginia’s substance-abuse problem.
“Our state is ate up with drug use,” said Delegate Josh Nelson, R-Boone. “We’re ate up with it…