The relationship between knowledge of drug testing and the degree of support for drug testing was investigated. In addition, the relationship between certain personality characteristics (e.g. authoritarianism, legal authoritarianism, locus of control and social desirability) and support for drug testing was also investigated. A questionnaire that included scales to measure demographics, drug testing knowledge, drug testing attitudes and the above mentioned personality characteristics was utilized. It was found that drug testing knowledge was significantly negatively correlated with support of drug testing. It was also found that those scoring higher on Authoritarianism (legal and otherwise) were significantly more likely to support drug testing. In addition, an internal locus of control was significantly correlated with support of drug testing.

This study investigated the prevalence of workplace drug prevention programs with regards to employee drug policies, drug testing, and employee assistance programs in a sample of Oregon manufacturing companies. The objectives of the study included: 1) identifying the contributing factors that supported the decision to implement or not implement a workforce drug policy and or a drug testing program; 2) identifying the different drug testing programs in use; 3) assessing how companies evaluated their drug testing programs; and 4) identifying the drug abuse-related services being provided through company employee assistance programs. A sample of 152 Oregon manufacturing companies with 100 or more employees was obtained from the Directory of Oregon Manufacturers, 1989-1990. A researcher-designed instrument was used to collect the information. Statistical procedures used for data analysis included frequency distribution, cross tabulation, and chi square. Approximately 80 percent of the manufacturing companies surveyed had a written workplace drug policy (83 percent) and a drug testing program (81 percent). In addition, 75 percent of the organizations had an employee assistance program which provided drug abuse-related services. Differences between manufacturers with drug polices and those without policies were not significant when comparisons were made based on company size and industry classification. Statistically significant differences were found between companies utilizing drug tests and those not testing when comparisons were made based on company size and industrial classification. Companies with drug testing programs (n= 123) administered tests to both job applicants (97 percent) and employees (92 percent). Applicants testing positive for drug use were not hired by most companies (93 percent), while "positive" employees were often (76 percent) referred to an employee assistance program. Few organizations (32 percent) attempted to measure the effectiveness of their testing program. Recommendations for further research included examining the drug prevention programs in a sample of all Oregon businesses. In addition, research should assess the perceptions of workers in Oregon with regards to the issue of workplace drug testing. / Graduation date: 1992