House gives second-round approval to drug tests for welfare recipients

Intro: The Missouri House gave overwhelming approval to a measure that would require drug tests for recipients of welfare. Rebecca Beitsch (B-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

The debate was long and the vote was clear. The Missouri House gave its support to a bill requiring drug tests to recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.

But St. Louis Democrat Jeanette Oxford said the money being spent on drug tests could be better used to help those on welfare.

Actuality: MOTTOX.WAV

Run Time: 00:13

Description: "A lot of people test clean. They aren't using drugs. But for the ones that they catch, each of those positive tests winds up costing 77 thousand dollars for each positive test."

Oxford said the tests become so expensive in relation to how few drug users are caught.

The measure passed 109-45, but faces one more vote before moving to the Senate.

From the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: The Missouri House gave preliminary approval to a measure that requires drug tests for welfare recipients. Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the State Capitol. RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

Sikeston Republican Ellen Brandom said she doesn't want state money to be used for drugs.

The representative has introduced legislation that requires recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to undergo drug tests. If positive, the recipient would get less money and could lose assistance.

Actuality: BRANDOM.WAV

Run Time: 00:13

Description: "Particularly women who are head of a household, truly, many of them want to get off drugs. And maybe this will be the additional motivation to help them give up drugs."

Several representatives questioned whether the loss of 58 dollars a month would motivate people to give up drugs.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.