STATE GROUP TRYING TO TACKLE DRUGS IN AREA WORKPLACES

Don Skundrick, vice president of LTM Inc. of Central Point, says
taking drugs is the worst thing people can do to their bodies.

He doesn't force that belief on others, though. Unless, of course,
they are on his payroll.

"As adults, you can make that choice, but not as my employee you
can't," he said.

Skundrick was in Roseburg Monday, addressing around 50 people at the
Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce Noon Forum. Skundrick chairs the
Workdrugfree Employer Task Group, an offshoot of the Oregon Business
Plan, made up of Oregon employers.

The group has been working for 1 1/2 years on creating programs to
reduce drug use in the workplace. Its goal is to implement a
statewide campaign that would get 75 percent of all businesses
certified as drug free by 2008.

Skundrick said he's had to fire employees for testing positive for
illegal substances. He's also given employees last chances, but, he
said, nine out of 10 fail again.

The task group formed after a legislative bus tour throughout the
state two years ago. It started in Medford and asked employers to
share their concerns.

The main problem was finding employees who could pass a drug test.
Skundrick wondered at the time if it was just a Southern Oregon issue.

"Then they went to Bend. Same thing," he said. "Then they went to
Salem. Same thing."

Oregon businesses spend $50 million a year on drug-free workplace
programs, according to Workdrugfree figures.

Even so, 60 percent of businesses surveyed identified drug use as a
"great" concern, but only 25 percent have full drug-free workplace
programs in place.

Roseburg was just one stop for Skundrick, who was accompanied by
Mimi Bushman with Workdrugfree and the Oregon Nurses Foundation.

They said that within three years, the goal is to have six regional
pilot sites for drug-free workplace certification, including one in
Roseburg. Other plans are to establish business mentors, training
and financial incentives.

They want to make it possible for small employers to set up such
programs, even if they don't think they have the time, expertise or
money to start.

Skundrick suggested getting in touch with Douglas County Communities
Aligned to Prevent Substance Abuse or the chamber to get involved. A
representative from ADAPT said his organization is also working on a
local drug-free certification program and interested residents
could call there, as well.

Skundrick said it's also important to get into schools. He said it
should start in junior high "at the latest."

"This is yours and my future work force," he said. "You think you're
having a hard time now? It's going to be almost impossible to find
the people you want to grow your business with."

More than just school programs, Skundrick suggested being frank with
the younger generation. Tell them they won't get a job if they use drugs.

He said make it especially clear that includes smoking marijuana.

"It will make a difference in some kid's life," he said.