I'm sure it's abused to an extent, but it is very limited on what you can get on the program.  I have seen what they can buy with it.  Free milk, eggs, juice, formula, certain fruits and certain veggies.  It's the cheapest of each item.  They cannot buy steaks, cigarettes, beer etc.  It states exactly what they can buy on the card.  Without WIC, the parents would skip these items and buy the steak, beer, cigs, and if any money was left they'd take care of the kids needs.  I think this program is a good one, they just need to do the same thing with the ETB program.  Just the basics, and the cheapest of the basics.