DRUG SCREENING YIELDS QUALITY
WORKING PARTNERS
Tucson Rubber Corporation is a manufacturer of rubber mechanical parts. The approximately 60 employees are predominantly entry-level workers with less than a high school education.
Ian Ellison, Tucson's Vice President, was disturbed by a high degree of absenteeism, a general lack of attention, and low productivity. Through conversations with trusted supervisors and workers, he was able to estimate that approximately 20% of his work force used drugs. One day, Ellison decided to learn more about the problem and how to address it.
Initially, Ellison was surprised to learn how little information was available. After conversations with the Chamber of Commerce, he formed Tucsonians for a Drug-Free Workplace. The group gathered attorneys, clinical personnel, and other specialists in substance abuse, organized seminars, and invited speakers from around the country.
A couple of years ago, Tucson Rubber Corporation instituted pre-employment drug screening. All successful job applicants are required to sign the company's written policy, stipulating that they must pass a drug test prior to reporting for work. At first, the results were 'unbelievable,' according to Ellison. 'Almost every third person who walked in that door couldn't pass a drug test,' he said. Many applicants eagerly took the test, assuming the results would be negative; test results indicated otherwise. Others simply never showed up for testing or work.
Soon, word spread that his was a firm where drug users need not apply. A sign on the door states that fact and warns of the drug screening requirement. 'Some of them just see that sign and turn around,' says Ellison.
The program has proven to be very successful for Tucson Rubber. Plant managers have commented on the better quality of new hires. The incidence of drug abuse among the workers, as measured by Ellison's hearsay network, is now at five percent. As those abusers who were already employed at the company leave, they are replaced by drug-free workers. Most of the employees are supportive of the program, and turnover in the work force is down.
For workers already in its employ, the firm contracts with an outside employee assistance program (EAP) to assist workers with a wide variety of problems, including drug and alcohol abuse. Group rates for the program were available through Tucsonians for a Drug-Free Workplace. Although Ellison would like to institute a random testing program for all employees, he is waiting for a few more cases to clear the courts before taking that step.