The Federal Government has introduced legislation for a trial of compulsory drug tests for people on the dole. The stated aim is twofold: to help unemployed people with drug problems receive treatment and find jobs, and to address community concerns that public money, through welfare payments, is being spent on illicit substances. Social Services Minister Christian Porter claims "there's lots of evidence" that mandatory drug testing of welfare recipients can help drug users come off welfare payments and move into jobs. RMIT ABC Fact Check found Mr Porter's claim is wishful thinking. Of six reports put forward by Mr Porter's office in defence of his claim, only two specifically relate to drug testing of welfare recipients and both strongly reject it as a viable strategy. The other four relate to the drug treatment of offenders in the criminal justice system. Experts say that, rather than lots of evidence, there is no evidence, here or overseas, to show that mandatory testing will help unemployed drug addicts receive treatment and find jobs.
Verdict: Wishful thinking