October 16, 1995
Dear Community Leader:
It has been one year since I introduced a pilot program here at the County of San Diego requiring applicants of General Relief (welfare) to undergo testing for dependence on drugs or alcohol before they can receive benefits. At that time I attended community meetings to discuss this new program.
As you may recall, my goal was to prevent recipients of General Relief from using taxpayer money to support their habits. If recipients test positive and want to continue to receive relief they are required to participate in a county recovery program. The possibility of recipients gaining control of their lives and leaving government relief are thus far greater.
I am writing to you today to report that the program has been a startling success. As someone who is interested in the betterment of our community, I thought you might like to hear about the results.
During the Pilot Program period concluding June 30, 1995. the following results occurred:
Of the 6,944 applicants scheduled for testing, 3,457 showed up. Of these 1,818, or 53 percent, tested chemically dependent.
Two-hundred and four tests were rescheduled. That left 3,283 or 47 percent who did not show up for the test.
As the program progresses, similar results appear. The most recent available reporting dates from July 1, 1995 to August 18, 1995 are as follows:
Of the 3,516 clients scheduled for testing during this time period, 1,812 were tested. Five-hundred-fifty-six were found chemically dependent, 72 were deferred due to language difficulties, and 18 were ruled invalid.
However, of the 773 persons who have completed a portion of the recovery program, 506 individuals or 65.5 percent were found drug- and alcohol-free at the time of testing.
To conclude, this program has been a tremendous success. Those who are found chemically dependent enter a four-part county program that promotes individual responsibility and selfsufficiency through education and services which leads to recovery and employment. If successful, the benefits to society in cleaning up our neighborhoods and helping chemically dependent individuals to recover are great. The savings to you as taxpayers are tremendous. Drug-free individuals attend one self-help meeting every three days, weekly education/group meetings and submit to random substance abuse testing for approximately three months. Willful failure to comply with the program's requirements results in a denial of aid.
Saving taxpayer dollars, giving people an opportunity to turn their lives around and ensuring that our money is not spent by welfare recipients on drugs or alcohol is a policy of common sense. The program serves as a model of good government and should be implemented nationally.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
