LOUISIANA TO REASSESS DRUG SCREEN FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS

SURVEY ANSWERS MAY BE TOO EASY TO FAKE, GOVERNOR HAS SAID

BATON ROUGE, La. - A new drug-screening test for welfare recipients,
criticized by Gov. Mike Foster for turning up a low number of potential
abusers, will get a second look by state social services officials.

The test has been in place for a little over two weeks. Department of
Social Services officials said it was implemented only after extensive
discussions with state attorneys and after looking at what other states do.

But social services officials said they will meet Monday to reassess the
20-question test, which is designed to ferret out potential users of
illegal drugs.

Mr. Foster said he does not like the questionnaire because many people may
be able to fake their answers.

The questionnaire asks welfare recipients such questions as: "Have you used
drugs other than those required for medical reasons?" and "Have you abused
prescription drugs?"

The director of a local substance-abuse treatment center said a
questionnaire will not help determine if someone is using drugs.

"The best way is a urine test," said Lyman White of Drug & Alcohol
Counseling Inc. in Baton Rouge, which provides drug-treatment programs for
adolescents and adults.

Mr. White said that the questions on the screening test are good and that
he probably will add some to his own evaluation. But he said most drug
addicts are manipulative and aren't looking for help.

In the first week the questionnaire was used, 1,554 welfare clients were
tested and 33 were referred to the Department of Health and Hospitals for
urine tests. During the second week, 989 recipients were screened and 26
were referred for urine tests.

"We're going to look at what has occurred to see if we need to tweak the
system and make changes," said Vera Blakes, assistant secretary of the
social services department's Office of Family Support.

Mr. Foster said last week that he believes the number of abusers is higher
than the 33 who were found the first week.

In 1997, the Legislature required drug testing of welfare recipients, as
well as elected officials, state employees who use heavy equipment or who
work in security areas, and those who have contracts with the state.

Counselors administer the questionnaire to welfare recipients and
applicants. If they fail, or if counselors believe by observation that they
have a drug problem, welfare clients are referred to the Department of
Health and Hospitals for a more detailed drug profile and urine test.

If they fail a urine test, they must enroll in a state-financed treatment
program. Those who refuse or do not complete the program risk losing
benefits. Any dependent child, however, will continue to receive benefits
if the parent is cut off.

About 48,000 households receive welfare in Louisiana, including 27,000
adults, according to social services.

Department Secretary Madlyn Bagneris said welfare recipients who want to
get off drugs and find work probably will answer the questions on the state
test honestly in order to get help.

She also said the 33 referrals from the first week were about the number
the agency expected in the early stages of the program.

Ms. Blakes said that the department cannot test welfare recipients without
reasonable suspicion and that the questionnaire is one way to see if there
might be a need for a urine test.

But she acknowledged: "You can always put down a false answer. I've never
known a system where a person couldn't lie their way through it."

Ms. Blakes said more time is needed before the state can see whether the
questionnaire is working.

Meanwhile, Mr. Foster was expected to issue an executive order Monday
requiring drug testing of state employees in the executive branch.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan