County Voters in Northern California Likely to Approve Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients
San Joaquin County voters overwhelmingly support Measure R on the ballot.
San Joaquin County voters are poised to pass Measure R, which mandates drug screening and potentially treatment for those benefitting from the county’s programs. Seniors over 65 and those with dependent children would be exempt from this requirement.
The ordinance has garnered 74.7 percent of the vote in the general election as of Nov. 15, targeting individuals suspected of drug use. If approved, these individuals must undergo drug screening to qualify for benefits. If they test positive, they would need professional evaluation and potentially be referred to treatment programs. Non-compliance could result in denial of payments by the county.
“This ordinance aims to combat the overdose epidemic by mandating individuals receiving assistance through the General Assistance program and identified as needing treatment to enroll in drug abuse treatment programs,” reads the text of Measure R.
While some individuals will need to participate in treatment programs, the county counsel’s analysis states that “Measure R does not require recipients to be sober to receive General Assistance benefits.”
California state law mandates all counties to provide aid to extremely poor single adults.
In 2024, general assistance recipients in San Joaquin County receive up to $75 per month via an EBT card or $367 per month for those in single-room low-cost housing, with $340 directly paid to the landlord.
According to the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors, “Two to three people a week are dying of overdoses from Fentanyl and other deadly drugs in San Joaquin County.” They advocate for Measure R to provide accountability along with treatment to tackle the crisis.
Like many parts of the country, San Joaquin County is facing a fentanyl crisis, prompting federal funding to address the issue.
Measure R will be effective on Jan. 2, 2025.
San Francisco
The Measure in San Joaquin is akin to a similar one passed by San Francisco voters earlier this year. Prop F, passed by over 58 percent of voters on March 5, requires drug testing for single adults under 65 with no dependents receiving benefits from San Francisco’s County Adult Assistance Program if substance abuse is suspected.
