Many reasons. First of all drug tests at work ate pretty much worthless for identifying people who will perform poorly at work or are a risk just like credit card background checks are (both are rooted in discriminatory beliefs). More importantly people who already have substance abuse issues are the people who most need social support such as medicaid and food stamps. It's seems stupid to take away treatment for substance abuse based on having a positive test. It's like taking away social security benefits if the recipients bank account doesn't have a certain amount of funds because low funds is a sign of poor money management. Substance abusers already have difficulty enough with finding and maintaining jobs and feeding their families. The ones that are able to stop using drugs generally are the ones who need the least support. Society doesn't need to make a bad situation worse and penalize the vulnerable such as children and elderly who depend on these individuals.
Credit checks are illegal unless its job related such as for a security or banking position. At work they guard against hiring negligence as a drug user is a higher risk for injury to themselves and their coworkers and I absolutely support the practice.
In the wrong hand it most certainly could be used that way. I see it as a way to identify those in need to offer them additional help to get them back on their feet so they can become productive again or at least break free from the habit breaking the cycle. Left to their own they will perish without assistance, however, if they refuse the help then it should affect their ability to obtain benefits.
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