ALBANY – Chautauqua County’s two state lawmakers are hoping to tighten drug testing standards for welfare recipients. According to a report in today’s Jamestown Post-Journal, Assemblyman Andy Goodell and state Senator Cathy Young have announced they will kick-start welfare reform across New York, with a goal of removing illegal drug users off the county’s public-assistance rolls.
The matching bills in the state legislature would allow local social services districts to conduct random drug tests of welfare recipients; those who fail the test would be required to attend mandatory treatment. During that time, recipients would be put into a voucher program where living expenses would be covered without receiving cash benefits.
The legislation is designed to give drug users a treatment option and an opportunity to find employment.
County Executive Greg Edwards said he supported the lawmakers’ push to curb illegal drug use amongst welfare recipients. He noted that those who receive public assistance have an obligation to improve their employment status, which ultimately reduces the county’s welfare rolls.
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