Ohio gov: Welfare drug testing could be beneficial

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Gov. John Kasich says creating a pilot program to tie welfare benefits to clean drug tests would help protect tax dollars and provide help for people who are poor and using drugs.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the Republican says such a program could be an opportunity for advocates for the poor to help tackle drug abuse.

Critics have suggested the program would be an attack on the poor, but Kasich says he doesn't see it that way.

GOP state lawmakers had added the contentious pilot program to a wide-ranging midterm budget bill being considered by the Legislature, but the provision was removed this week before the legislation cleared the Senate.

The welfare drug-testing provision is expected to be taken up in a separate bill later.