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Madawaska To Consider Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients

 MADAWASKA, Maine (AP) _ The Board of Selectmen in a northern Maine town is expected to vote soon on a proposal to drug test welfare recipients.

  Madawaska Town Manager Ryan Pelletier says he will make a formal proposal to the town's selectmen on Aug. 29. He says the full details of the proposal are not yet available.

  Pelletier said earlier this summer that new rules could apply to the town's use of state General Assistance money. The program provides money for things like food.

  Pelletier says Madawaska has a workfare program that treats General Assistance recipients like town employees, who are subject to drug screening. One possibility is for a rule change to extend that standard to all recipients.

  Gov. Paul LePage supports the move.

  The ACLU has questioned the legality of the change.