Workplace drug testing programs: A review of research and a survey of worksites

Abstract

Private sector employees are experiencing increased governmental regulation and pressure to utilize drug testing for job applicants and employees at their worksites. Public policy is espousing organizationally sponsored drug testing as beneficial not only to the workplace but to society in general. Little rigorous research has been conducted, however, to support the foundations of this public policy. This paper reviews the extant research on this topic and then presents results of a study conducted at 342 worksites. The data describe various facets of drug testing end related practices and compares them over several organizational characteristics. Implications based on the study's results are presented for those involved with drug testing programs.