NCJ Number
166899
Date Published
1992
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Federal executive-branch agencies were surveyed to develop estimates of the total costs of drug testing of all executive-branch employees.
Abstract
The survey was conducted between October 1990 and March 1991 and covered 119 agencies. Results revealed that 51 agencies conducted drug tests during this period. Cost data from 48 agencies were used to develop the estimate of total costs. The cost data indicated that total costs could be about $168,189,800 annually if all executive branch employees were tested, each new hire was tested, and administrative and other costs remained constant. The average direct cost incurred by Federal agencies was $73.46 per test. The direct costs included the review of test results by a physician, the purchase and submission of blind testing specimens for quality assurance, provisions for employee urine collection, and laboratory testing services. A separate cost relates to the expenses incurred by the Department of Justice in defending the legality of Federal employee drug testing and litigating other cases related to drug testing. During fiscal years 1987-91, the Department of Justice reported that it spent almost $725,000 to litigate 68 cases related to drug testing. Tables and footnotes