Persons applying for welfare benefits should be drug tested and cleared of all illicit drugs before receiving any benefits in the form of cash or food stamps because, the government spends so much money on welfare and rehabilitation programs and screening of welfare recipients will help the government save more money to restore the economy. Most employees are tested for illicit drugs before being employed by their employer, so why shouldn't welfare recipients also be tested for illicit drugs before receiving any assistance? The government deducts so much tax from workers' earnings and part of these deductions go to fund welfare programs, so social assistance like money should not be used to buy illicit drugs from recipients, especially when the government is fighting against drugs illegal on the market. Some of the social assistance recipients take advantage of the program and apply for social assistance even when they could live without welfare support, this is a clear indication that some recipients abuse the welfare program and therefore it is necessary to select the recipients. Since applicants and recipients of welfare programs are not tested for illicit drugs before receiving benefits from welfare service providers and there are no screening measures or regulations to ensure that recipients of this assistance are truly eligible, welfare programs instead tend to assist drug barons. of the most vulnerable in society. This is not surprising when the government spends billions of taxpayer dollars each year to fund drug prevention programs and welfare programs. Unfortunately, most of these drug addicts are poor and bankrupt, so they depend on social assistance, ... middle of paper ... the purpose of social assistance is achieved and the recipients really deserve it. If welfare claimants are tested for illicit drugs before receiving any benefits in the form of cash or food stamps, the sale and use of illicit drugs will be dramatically reduced and therefore the government will not have to spend more money on drug-related programs. drug. According to John E. Johnson of the Neuroscience Research Center, “illicit drugs are the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States” (Johnson). Its consequences pose enormous economic costs, and therefore all states, including North Dakota, should pass legislation that vets applicants and recipients of welfare benefits. Our taxes should be used to help the poor and lower classes live better lives and not to pay for illicit drugs and alcohol by some beneficiaries.