The Republican-controlled Indiana House voted 73-23 Tuesday to spend up to $1.5 million for a two-year pilot program drug testing welfare recipients, despite projected savings of only $43,000.

House Bill 1007 sets up drug testing for recipients of Temporary Aid for Needy Families benefits in three counties to be selected by the Family and Social Services Administration. A recipient who fails a drug test would lose his or her benefits.

The sponsor, state Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said it doesn't matter that the state will end up spending more money than it saves; it's more important to send a message to welfare recipients that they should not use drugs.

State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, challenged McMillin to cite any study showing drug users are actively seeking TANF benefits or TANF recipients are more likely to use drugs than the general population.

McMillin could not.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/house-approves-costly-plan-to-drug-test-welfare-recipients/article_9b817c4a-47c7-5d96-a42a-30ef813519ae.html