NCJ Number
219937
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 42 Issue: 7 Dated: 2007 Pages: 1141-1159
Date Published
2007
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the frequency that drug users displayed unprofessional behavior in an employment setting.
Abstract
The findings show that overall incidences of unprofessional behavior are low and that a small percentage of participants had serious workplace behavior problems. The study suggests that individuals with long histories of drug addition and chronic unemployment may exhibit behaviors that could contribute to chronic unemployment. Future research should investigate interventions to increase work productivity and benefits and limit the types of terminal contingencies used in adult job skills training programs and community workplaces. Fifty-three participants were recruited from 16 methadone maintenance programs in Baltimore, MD, between April 2003 and November 2003. All of the participants were invited to train and work in the therapeutic workplace for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week Monday through Friday. The learning included typing, keypad, and data entry skills. Participants were instructed and expected to maintain professional behavior while in the workplace. All received an instruction manual that provided a description of the therapeutic workplace’s standards and management of profession demeanor. The data was recorded by the date, time, type of behavior monitoring (routine or random check), participant ID, type of violation, and the administrative procedure used for that violation. Tables, figure, glossary, and references