NCJ Number
133788
Date Published
1990
Length
50 pages
Annotation
A survey of 250 State and local governments gathered information regarding the existence and characteristics of these governments' drug testing programs for employees or prospective employees.
Abstract
The survey was conducted between October 1989 and August 1990 and received responses from 80 percent of the jurisdictions. Results showed that 53 percent of the jurisdictions conduct some form of applicant or employee testing, while another 26 percent are considering establishing such a program within 12 months. Jurisdictions were more likely to test police applicants and employees than other employees. Almost three-quarters of the jurisdictions offer employee assistance programs and refer first-time drug abusers to them. However, police are less likely than other employees to be given a second chance. The trend toward establishing these programs indicates a consensus that they are worthwhile, despite the lack of conclusive data regarding their effectiveness. In addition, the relatively low positive rate for employee drug tests and the apparently widespread practice of testing mainly on the basis of reasonable suspicion indicate that the processes used to determine that a "just cause" exists for drug testing are of questionable accuracy. Findings indicate further need for a cost-benefit analysis of these drug testing programs. Footnotes, figures and appended survey instrument