When I first read your post I thought you were referring to "public employees" , as being on the "public dole" but then realized you were talking about the welfare people. I figure it would be a good idea to do annual and random drug tests for state and local government employees, but the unions would never stand for it and the administrations honestly would not want to find out what everybody is doing.

As far as the welfare folk being drug tested, its a double edged sword, I think it causes more trouble and money if you do it vs. if you don't.