CINCINNATI, -- Graduating college seniors may think they've cleared all the
hurdles necessary to enter the job market. But, in reality, many will soon
face their most important test yet: a drug test. And statistics suggest that
nearly one in five of them will fail.

According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan in 1996, 18% of
college students have used some type of illegal drugs in the past 30 days.
The study found that 17.5% of these students smoke marijuana (2.8% daily);
and nearly 2% use hallucinogens.

A survey designed by the Core Institute yielded similar results for the
period 1995-1996 finding that 18.6% of college students had smoked marijuana
in the prior 30 days and 2.7% had used hallucinogens.

Beth Lindamood, senior analyst at Great American Insurance Companies(R),
believes many companies that hire college graduates are looking at these and
other findings. "Many employers realize what a serious safety and
productivity issue drug use poses to their businesses if the consequences
associated with it happen in the workplace," said Lindamood.

The Core survey found some of the consequences experienced by drug-using
college students included: poor performance (21.4%), missed class (30.1%),
memory loss (28.1%) and injury (13%).

"Employers are paying close attention to the cost of workplace drug abuse to
their companies," Lindamood said. Overall, workplace drug abuse costs
companies in the United States more than $100 billion annually in lost
productivity, accidents and increased workers' compensation and medical
expenses. As a result, graduating seniors can expect to encounter a job
market increasingly informed about -- and inhospitable to -- drug users.

Employers are aware of the demographics of drug abuse, too. And that
includes not just today's college students, but the future workforce as well
- -- the high school seniors of 1997. According to the University of Michigan
study, 26.2% of these seniors are already using drugs. The study shows that
this rate rose an alarming 82% from the 14.4% of seniors who were using
drugs in 1992.

To help protect themselves from problems associated with drug-using
employees, more and more employers are moving to establish workplace drug
abuse programs that include drug testing.

Currently, 98% of Fortune 200 companies have anti-drug policies and
programs. Companies large and small, recognizing the tremendous losses
caused by drug use in the workplace, are stepping up efforts as well.
Nonetheless, Federal government research shows that 73% of adults who use
illegal drugs are employed.

In May, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business heard
testimony regarding proposed legislation designed to make drug-free
workplace programs more attractive to even the smallest businesses.

"Regardless of the field they plan to enter or the companies they apply to,
it is increasingly likely that graduating college seniors will be drug
tested," said Lindamood, who was among those who testified before the
Congressional Committee. "Businesses covet these young minds, but only the
ones that test free of drugs. College students need to realize this before
they begin to interview, clean up their acts now and test drug-free. Making
the right choices now could effect the rest of their lives."

Businesses wishing to learn more about establishing a drug-free workplace
can do so by calling Great American(R) at 1-888-788-GAIC or by sending an
e-mail inquiry to gaworkcomp@fuse.net.

Beth Lindamood has been quoted on the topic of workplace drug abuse in the
Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, New York Daily News,
Associated Press, Bloomberg Business News, Copley News Service, CNN-fn,
Business News Network and numerous local and regional print, radio and TV
outlets. Ms. Lindamood has also testified before a committee of the U.S.
House of Representatives on workplace drug abuse issues.

Sidebar:

Top Ten Dumbest Ways

Employees Try to Disguise Drug Abuse

This list was compiled by Beth Lindamood, senior analyst with
Cincinnati-based Great American Insurance Company, after years of studying
workplace drug abuse.
10. Buying "Mary Jane's SuperClean 13", a vial of liquid dishwashing fluid
that sells for $29.95.

9. Drinking liquid soap.

8. Drinking vinegar.

7. Adding ammonia, blood, Drain-0, lemon juice, table salt, Visine and WD-40
to urine specimen.

6. Drinking bleach.

5. Injecting "clean urine" into bladder.

4. Making your own powdered urine and substituting "when you're clean."

3. Submitting a "fresh" 40-degree urine sample.

2. Substituting canine urine for human urine.

1. Sending someone else to collection site for you.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett