Drug Testing: Yes Or No

 

Lewis Maltby's excellent article makes a strong and reasoned argument. However, his selective references to the American Management Association's recent research report, "Drug Abuse: The Workplace Issues," may lead your readers to infer that the American Management Association opposes workplace testing in any form. This is not the case.

The American Management Association considers drug testing no panacea, and it cautions its members to consider carefully not only the legal and financial aspects of a testing program but also the potential effect upon employee morale. At the same time, our study indicates that testing can be an important and useful component in a comprehensive program that includes a drug education and awareness campaign and an offer of assistance to identified abusers.