This time in Utah,
What is that? About .25 percent of those seeking the benefits?
Utah has spent more than $30,000 to screen welfare applicants for drug use since a new law went into effect a year ago, but only 12 people have tested positive, state figures show.
The preliminary data from August 2012 through July 2013 indicates the state spent almost $6,000 to give 4,730 applicants a written test. After 466 showed a likelihood of drug use, they were given drug tests at a total cost of more than $25,000, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, which administers welfare benefits and the tests.
"Obviously drug use among this population is not an issue," said Gina Cornia, executive director of Utahns Against Hunger and a longtime welfare-reform advocate.
Lawmakers should instead use the money to address barriers to employment such as low-reading skills, she said.
What is that? About .25 percent of those seeking the benefits?