NCJ Number
142417
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Guidelines to assist employers and law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting workplace drug crimes are discussed.
Abstract
This document presents steps that companies, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors should take when workplace drug crimes are discovered or suspected and offers tips to help employers determine whether drug crimes are taking place on their premises. Also included are case studies concerning investigations of drug abuse in the workplace and a sample workplace drug abuse policy statement. The guidelines are based on the establishment of a relationship between businesses and law enforcement agencies to increase the chances for successful investigations and prosecutions and to improve the odds of saving the companies money and reducing liability. The guidelines advise businesses, inter alia, to take internal steps to eradicate drug abuse in the workplace including a review of current policy and coordination of departmental efforts; assess the workplace drug problem; obtain legal advice and contact appropriate law enforcement agencies if necessary; and publicize successful drug investigations and prosecutions to deter would-be offenders. Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to establish relationships with the business community by using outreach and drug education and training programs, assigning an officer as a liaison with businesses, and developing a written policy concerning the handling of requests for workplace drug crime investigations. Prosecutors are advised to develop procedures to ensure coordination of workplace drug abuse prosecutions among their office, law enforcement agencies, and businesses. A list of national and State resource organizations with telephone numbers is included.