Substance Abuse and Welfare Policy at the New Century

Drawing on findings from the SSI Study and other research, this paper takes up various policy questions fundamental to any welfare program for substance abusers. The paper considers the place of disability benefits in the U.S. system of categorical aid and the problems raised by substance abuse for the disability category. It discusses the desirable objectives of a welfare program for substance abusers and the various mechanisms by which they might be achieved. And finally, it considers how any new program might be positioned in the context of categorical aid and American federalism.