TEST EMPLOYEES FOR DRUGS

It should be a no-brainer for employers to have a drug-testing
policy. In Central Oregon, if a company doesn't, it's asking for trouble.

Central Oregon job applicants test positive for drugs more often than
workers in other parts of the state. In 2005, about 8.4 percent of
job applicants tested in Central Oregon had tested positive for
drugs, according to the testing company Oregon Medical Laboratories.
The state average is 6.3 percent. Most test positive for marijuana
but the next most common drug is methamphetamine.

Bend's Chamber of Commerce has been running a drug-free workplace
campaign for the past few months to encourage more employers to start
a testing program. Only about one-third of the chamber's members had
a program when it kicked off. The chamber encourages employers to do
pre-employment drug testing and also test employees when there is
reasonable suspicion that the employee is doing drugs.

Most Oregon drug users are employed. Without a drug-testing policy, a
company may see more absenteeism and workplace accidents. Running a
business has enough head-aches without the added liability of relying
on employees who use drugs.

Starting a program and running it does cost money. Any program should
be applied fairly, be clear to employees and reviewed by an attorney.
The individual tests don't cost much - $25 to $50.

The chamber is also trying to encourage the state to require people
who collect unemployment benefits to prove they are not taking drugs
or seeking treatment.

Many Central Oregon employers say they are having a hard time finding
good employees to do entry-level work. And it's true that testing is
going to further reduce the pool.

The financial risks are too great not to test. If your company is not
doing testing and more and more employers in Central Oregon are,
where do you think all the drug-using applicants will be coming for jobs?

Contact the chamber if you are wondering where to get started: 382-3221.