tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183447461205976739.post4035417466603536364..comments2024-02-26T17:13:18.702-06:00Comments on DemoCurmudgeon: Walker phasing out Welfare, FoodShare, Medicaid and Unemployment with bogus screening Questionnaire. Democurmudgeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16336177394503335112noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183447461205976739.post-44591121389588160112015-01-24T21:59:23.726-06:002015-01-24T21:59:23.726-06:00Again from their website, the SASSI screening ques...Again from their website, the SASSI screening questionnaire is designed to "identify high or low probability of substance use disorders." <br /><br />They make no claims about "suspicion/probability of using illegal drugs." <br /><br />Consider these scenarios…<br />1) An alcoholic would score "high probability," but presumably would still be eligible for benefits because they won't be testing for alcohol (and alcohol leaves one's system very quickly anyway)<br />2) Someone abusing prescription drugs would score "high probability," but their substance of choice might not be tested for.<br />3) Someone who at one time had a substance abuse problem but has been clean for years would still score "high probability." <br />4) Someone with a family history and genetic predisposition to substance abuse/addiction would likely test "high probability" regardless of whether they'd ever used or not.<br />5) On the other side, someone who uses illegal drugs recreationally but not pathologically would score "low probability."<br /><br />Since there's no straight line from the results of this screening test to "suspicion of using illegal drugs," I question how the state could go ahead and make this link. <br /><br />Depending on how exactly it's set up in WI, I think either the legislators drafting this or the bureaucrats charged with interpreting the screening results and making decisions on benefit eligibility might be treading dangerously close to practicing medicine (and/or psychology) without a license. Might be worth filing a complaint if it comes to this.DAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00730286668217299316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183447461205976739.post-6643900572498487092015-01-24T15:33:51.640-06:002015-01-24T15:33:51.640-06:00The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory men...The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory mentioned above is a specific proprietary screening tool created and owned by the SASSI Institute. Because they're actual health practitioners and not RW ideologues, they have this to say about using their screening test like this:<br />https://www.sassi.com/customer-support/clinical-support/screening-issues/<br /><br />"To use the SASSI to discriminate against individuals, such as disqualifying job applicants or <b>to deny public assistance, violates the purpose of the SASSI and is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.</b>"<br /><br />and…<br /><br />"…when public assistance is made contingent on participation in the assessment and treatment process, it increases the risk for violations of ethical principles and applicants’ rights."<br /><br /><b>The folks who wrote the damn screening test (and stand to profit from its use) say this is not a legitimate use of their test.</b> Shout it from the mountaintops!DAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00730286668217299316noreply@blogger.com