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."