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Bill Would Require Drug Tests For Welfare Recipients

BOSTON (CBS) -  A Massachusetts lawmaker wants to study the possibility of making drug and alcohol testing a requirement for welfare recipients.

Representative Nick Boldyga of Southwick said the idea is to find those who actually need public assistance.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.

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"I think for far too long, we're just enabling people by continuing to pay them if we know that they either have drug arrests in the past for possession, use, etc. We need to help them get back on their feet, get off their addiction, whatever it may be, drugs or alcohol, so they can be productive members of society and healthy," said Rep. Boldyga.

Rep. Boldyga, at this point, only wants a commission to determine how much the testing, and susequent substance abuse treatment, would cost.

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