CHAMBER'S ANTI-DRUG BILLBOARD STATES CASE

At least 75 percent of drug users hold down steady jobs.

Of those, 64 percent admit that their performance is diminished because of
drug use, and 75 percent confess that they use drugs while on the job.

Every year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, American
businesses experience $100 billion in losses because of substance abuse.

That's why the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is promoting its "Drugs Don't
Work" program.

The program educates and provides assistance to businesses interested in
developing and becoming certified drug-free workplaces. It's so
significant, in the chamber's view, that it's the subject of a billboard.

The "Drugs Don't Work" billboard, donated by John Gibb of Formetco and
David Jernigan of Lamar Outdoor Signs, is located at 4990 Jimmy Carter
Boulevard in the pa4rking lot of AMF Gwinnett Lanes Bowling Center in Norcross.

In the next few months, the movable sign will appear in other areas in
Gwinnett County.

"We're hoping the sign will encourage more companies to consider the
benefit of creating drug-free workplaces and allow the chamber to help,"
said Richard Tucker, president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

The goal of the Drugs Don't Work program is to educate Gwinnett County
employers about prevention, intervention and elimination of substance abuse
in the workplace.

Once Businesses sign on to participate, they gain access to a sample
drug-free policy, supervisory and employee training and a list of resources
for drug testing and training that is offered at a discount. The program
also is expected to save employers about 7.5 percent on workers'
compensation insurance premiums.

Lamar Outdoor Signs was happy to help, Jernigan said.

"We feel it is important to stay involved and to give back to the community
in any way we can," her said.

For more information on the Drugs Don't Work Program, call the Gwinnett
Chamber of Commerce at 770-2332-3000.