NCJ Number
9390
Date Published
1972
Length
181 pages
Annotation
BUSINESS PRACTICES CONCERNING DRUG USE BY EMPLOYEES, AND RELATED EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANPOWER AND DRUG ADDICTION CONTROL AGENCIES.
Abstract
EMPLOYMENT AND ADDICTION HIGHLIGHTS THE PARTICULAR AND OFTEN DEBILITATING PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT ADDICTS AND EX-ADDICTS AS THEY ATTEMPT TO BECOME OR REMAIN EMPLOYABLE. A SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN OF THE PRACTICES OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS WITH RESPECT TO THE EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF DRUG USERS AND EX-USERS AND QUESTIONNAIRES WERE ADMINISTERED TO EMPLOYERS, DRUG PROGRAM PERSONNEL AND DRUG USERS. THE SURVEY FOCUSED ON THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AS A WHOLE AND THE GREATER BOSTON AREA IN PARTICULAR. IT WAS FOUND THAT IN PRACTICE, DRUG PROGRAMS DO NOT SEE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR JOB PLACEMENT AS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE 'REHABILITATIVE' PROCESS, WHILE EMPLOYERS ARE ACTIVELY EXCLUDING PEOPLE WITH A HISTORY OF DRUG PROBLEMS FROM THE LABOR FORCE. THE RESEARCHERS WERE UNABLE TO DISCERN ANY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DRUG PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYERS AIMED AT HELPING DRUG USERS OR EX-USERS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING. SUGGESTIONS FOR WAYS IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR MIGHT FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS ARE PROVIDED. IN ADDITION TO THE SURVEY AND QUESTIONNAIRE DATA, A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT LITERATURE IS PRESENTED WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)