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MARQUETTE -- The Social Welfare Act is in the process of being reformed by the Department of Human Services. And the component of mandatory drug testing is the main target of the department's reform efforts.

But that concept of mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients is still very much in the beginning stages, even though it's been implemented in the state before.

It was back in 2003, under then Governor John Engler.  He passed a robust drug-testing program for welfare recipients.  But after a lengthy legal battle, it never took effect, but the issue has stayed alive.

Twenty percent of Michigan's population is on some sort of welfare.  That could be food stamps, cash assistance, or disability.

"You're talking a lot of people that you potentially have to randomly drug screen to get this thing rolling, and cost is an issue," says Brian Rooney of the Department of Human Services.

And that's something that concerns our Facebook followers.

Matt Swan posted on our Facebook page, "There are two parties to consider here.  There is not only the rights of the recipients, but also the rights of the taxpayers whose labors pay for that assistance."

Jon Truscott agrees:  "A drug test is cheaper than a year's worth of assistance."

In coming up with a policy, the Department of Human Services needs to examine, first and foremost, who pays for the drug test:  the recipient or the taxpayer?  Should the tests be random or applied to all recipients?  And do all existing recipients now need to be tested or just new ones?

"We get drug tested when we come work for the state of Michigan and when you're receiving public funds, taxpayer funds.  The taxpayer has a right, and the state has a duty, to make sure those funds are being used properly," Rooney adds.

"I'm not sure that it's money well spent, going out and testing whether poor people are using or abusing drugs," says 109th District Representative Steve Lindberg.

Just back from Lansing, Representative Steve Lindberg told me Friday afternoon that although he knows nothing about this proposal, he would rather see prevention than punishment for the poor.

"Taking that money and putting it into...a treatment program where we treat those people who have an addiction," adds Lindberg.  "And what are we going to get out of that at the end of the day?  Are we going to reduce the number of people who have an addiction problem?  Are we going to reduce the number of people who are on welfare?  Perhaps if we do this, we should have the Legislature step up to the plate and...maybe we should all take drug tests."

A work group from the Department of Human Services will present their findings to the Legislature in December.

D.H.S. officials say it's likely that a law mandating drug testing for welfare recipients in the state will be enacted early next year.