NCJ Number
163270
Date Published
1994
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This is a summary of major research defining the extent and magnitude of the workplace substance abuse problem, the deterrent effect of drug testing on workplace drug abuse, and the effectiveness of employer responses.
Abstract
The report attempts to determine whether, and to what extent, workplace drug-testing programs are justified, effective at detecting and reducing drug abuse, and cost-effective. The results of virtually every workplace study support the premises that drug abuse adversely affects the workplace, and that drug testing effectively deters and detects drug-abuse problems. Summaries of 39 corporate case studies document the tangible results of employee drug-testing programs, and the quantifiable benefits of their successes. A review of major workplace studies, and their meaningful conclusions, is also included. In addition, the report discusses alcohol and other drug abuse in the United States, the impact of substance abuse on job performance, the prevalence of drug-testing programs, the frequency of positive drug tests, and employee attitudes toward drug testing. Figures, appendixes