DRUGS AND JOBS

Who would have thought there'd be a connection between the nation's drug culture and its remarkably long-running low unemployment rate? But there is, reports the American Management Association.

The record low jobless rate has companies drastically seeking new workers and part of the price they're willing to pay is to overlook job-seekers' drug addictions. The firms do this, says AMA spokes person Ellen Bayer, by dropping pre-employment drug tests.

Indeed, Bayer continues, statistics indicate companies are dropping the tests like hot potatoes. In a tight labor market, employers just don't want to know about such things.

The pass on drug exams are having the desired effect, Bayer told U.S. News & World Report. Firms are suddenly attracting a lot more applicants.

Periodically statistics are released by the government, private groups or institutions of higher learning showing how deeply unlawful drugs have sunk their hooks into U.S. society. But such statistics are dry, even mind-numbing.

Sometimes the point can be made more dramatically when an organization like the American Management Association, seemingly removed from the nefarious influence of the nation's drug culture, turns in a report like this.

Ironically, drug testing is expected to make a comeback when the jobless rate starts climbing again.