Although the controversial aspect of this policy does not seem to bother two Georgia lawmakers, Rep. Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine, and Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell. They plan to introduce this policy into legislation, where in order to obtain welfare benefits a person must pass a drug test first.

This bill would apply only to people who are collecting welfare through the TANF (Temporarily Assistance for Needy Families) agency. According the the U.S. Census Bureau 50,000 people in Georgia receive this assistance, in which they are paid cash for up to five years over their lifetimes.

In a news release Spencer stated that, “Georgia taxpayers have a vested interest in making sure that their hard-earned tax dollars are not being used to subsidize drug addiction. In these tough economic times, it is easy to understand that many deserving families need some temporary help until they can bounce back financially — that’s why we have public assistance programs like TANF. This additional eligibility requirement will simply ensure that those funds are used for that intended purpose.”

Those receiving food stamps or other public assistance will not apply.

Under Spencer’s bill, a failed drug test will result in being ineligible for TANF for a month. If after that month a second failed drug test occurs they will be ineligible for a total of three months. An applicant will then be given a third chance, and if failed they will be banned from the program for a total of three years.

This policy will not affect children, who are excused from taking the required drug test. Even if their parent fails a drug test, the child will still get their amount of money.

Since this is a newer type of drug on the market most users feel that traces of bath salt cannot be detected on drug tests. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Although bath salts do not appear on the standard home drug test, there is another screening device out there that can detect bath salts thru a person’s urine.

Laboratories are able to identify the psychoactive ingredients contained in bath salt.  The two harmful synthetic compounds in it are mephedrone and methylenedioxpyrovalerone (MDPV).  Although these are legal compounds they are not meant to be consumed by humans and are sold as dangerous research chemicals.

The effects from consuming bath salt is  a heightened sense of reality that is similar to ecstasy as well as an energy high similar to cocaine.  The dangerous effects from these substances include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, chest pain, seizures, hallucinations, paranoia, dizziness, vomiting, profuse sweating and temporary psychotic just to name a few.

In one instance of a drug high turned violent, one Neil Brown of Pennsylvania become psychotic after snorting bath salts.  Only he knows what he saw that day, but the visions were so maddening that it made him grab a knife and repeatedly slashed his face and stomach. He has survived this horrific incident, but others have not been so lucky when it comes to a bath salt overdose.

Traces of mephedrone and mdpv bath salts were first detected in 2009, in police laboratory testing from seized evidence.  Although in 2009 no cases were filed with regard to bath salts, it has drastically changed since 2011.

In 2010 there were approximately 236 cases of bath salt overdose calls to poison control centers. Records indicate that within the first three months of 2011 there have been 248 cases.  So in only three short months, the sheer amount of cases have over lapsed last years numbers.

As company’s find new ways to create synthetic or designer drugs, the drug testing companies are having to keep up, with new methods of screening to continue fighting this war against substance abuse and addiction.

Hopefully with more employers and officials using bath salt drug testing, this will create a deterrent for use, and it brings down the popularity of this horrible synthetic drug.

Like previous tests these levels are different for every person and every lifestyle. Water intake, exercise, metabolism, and consistency of use all effect the level of nanograms reported for a person. Of these, metabolism plays perhaps the most crucial role; since THC is a fat soluble chemical (meaning it stores in fat) it can actually be “burned” off quicker or slower depending on the body’s metabolism level. For example an athlete would on average have a lower level than someone of less physical activity with the same amount of use.

Does this really change anything? Amazingly yes, now instead of person simply being labeled an “addict” the drug test will reflect a more accurate portrayal of that person and their substance abuse. Now a potential employer can tell whether a person uses everyday, not at all, or just every once in a while. Many have suggested that the use of this drug testing might actually be positive for most people who use looking for employment. Statistics have shown that employers’ at most low skill jobs (like cleaning, delivery, and other tedious work) don’t really care if a person uses recreational drugs like Marijuana as long it happens infrequently. This test may prove to be revolutionary, for in the past it was not possible to really differentiate between a casual user that will be productive and a true substance abuser.

The employment drug testing program in South Africa should be used as a shining example of how similar programs in the United States can and should work. The emphasis on assisting employees who are suffering from addiction, rather than ending the work relationship entirely, is crucial in truly ending the drug use once and for all. By strictly monitoring employees, using pre-screenings during the hiring process as well as periodic random tests, companies can ensure that their workplace is drug free and as productive as possible.

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