Numerous other states have explored the fiscal impacts of drug testing individuals that receive public assistance. The state of Louisiana found that the implementation of a policy to test TANF recipients according to its state laws would cost over $500,000 even after savings realized from the termination of benefits.
Authorized by the state legislature, the Idaho Department of health and Welfare conducted a study and released the findings on the costs and benefits of implementing a random drug testing program. The study found “the costs of administering a drug testing program exceed the potential savings” for mandatory testing and that “savings from benefit termination of substance abusers will not “self-fund” a random drug testing program.”
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