Metro-Richmond has one of the largest lower income and near poverty level populations of any large city in Virginia. As of 2011, over 22 percent of the population lived at or below the poverty line. Of that number, 33 percent are under 18 years of age.
On capital hill, the state senate is pushing Senate Bill 6 toward passage. The bill cleared the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee today by a vote of 8-7. It will now move to the full senate.
Sponsored by Stephen H. Martin (R-Chesterfield), the bill calls for all applicants applying for Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) to be screened for drug use.
A positive test, or refusal to be tested well result in a loss of benefits for up to a year, unless the recipient completes a substance-abuse treatment program. Benefits could still be given to a non-drug using adult family member.
Senate Democrats have vigorously opposed the legislation from the start. Dissenters say the bill singles out the poor and most needy people in the Commonwealth.
Another issue was raised by Senator Mark R. Herring (D-Loudoun). Herring said the $2.7 million for the testing program could be better spent on substance abuse and treatment programs.
He went on to point out the already limited funding and the long waiting lists to get into treatment. This examiner decided to check this comment and was surprised at the results.
According to the latest figures, there are 576,000 people in Virginia abusing either marijuana, some form of cocaine, heroin or prescription drugs. The numbers reflect the state-wide population, and not any one area.
The question that comes to mind is this, with the shortage of facilities run by the state, and the long waiting lists to get accepted, what happens to the family while the applicant is waiting 1-3 months to get treatment?
With the number of children living in poverty in the city of Richmond, they will suffer the most from this bill. How much thought was given to them?
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