NCJ Number
112689
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1988) Pages: 379-392
Date Published
1988
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Based on a 1987 survey of 258 Cincinnati, Ohio residents, the present study attempts to assess the extent to which citizens endorse the campaign to expand further the scope of employee drug testing.
Abstract
Results suggest that the public is generally supportive of the movement to test employees for drug and alcohol abuse. Considerable consensus exists that testing is appropriate where employee impairment would jeopardize public safety (e.g., airline pilots) or tarnish the public trust accorded some occupational groups (e.g., police, teachers). Disagreement arises when the proposal is to test universally and without regard to the occupational function. In such instances, nearly half of the sample opposed the policy. Results indicate that most citizens believe that the most prudent testing policy is to balance concerns for privacy rights with the public's needs to prevent dangerous victimization. This orientation is largely consistent with recent legal rulings that have shied away from granting employers unfettered discretion in testing and have urged that testing be based on reasonable grounds. 3 tables, 2 notes, and 34 references. (Author abstract modified)