NCJ Number
102501
Date Published
1986
Length
76 pages
Annotation
Testimony and statements by U.S. Representatives, a toxicologist, and representatives from Federal employees' groups and the President's Commission on Organized Crime examine a recent recommendation that all Federal employees be tested for illegal drug use.
Abstract
Testimony focuses on practical and constitutional issues raised by widespread screening. These include the reliability of drug tests and the impact of false positives on the employees' careers, privacy rights, the confidentiality of medical records, and the indignity of such testing. Other issues relate to the costs of testing and who would pay them, the likely impact on accomplishing the goal of stopping organized crime, and implications for the traditional presumption of innocence. Overall, testimony is opposed to such widespread screening. Alternatives are suggested that include stricter drug law enforcement, increased drug education in schools, and greater law enforcement funding.