Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Off To Slow Start

Drug testing of welfare applicants in Kansas is off to a slow start.

After four months, only 20 applicants have been tested, with four testing positive and five refusing the tests. State officials concede early numbers are low. But they predict testing will increase as staffers grow more comfortable in referring welfare applicants for drug testing.

A spokeswoman for the state’s children and families department, which administers the drug-testing program, says it’s important to note that this is the first year.

Missouri has been testing applicants since last March. It has conducted 655 tests so far. Almost 70 tested positive, but about 700 refused the test and were disqualified for benefits.