Drug Testing Issues and Options 1991

From workplace to school, from professional sports to the armed services, the advent of drug-testing procedures has stirred debate and controversy. Although designed to detect and thereby curtail the use of illicit drugs, this well-intentioned procedure involves difficult issues which require informed decision making. In this thought-provoking and practical book, Robert Coombs and Louis Jolyon West introduce readers to the complex world of drug testing. Written in nontechnical language for those concerned with substance abuse issues, the authors explore drug-testing methodology and offer guidelines for selecting the appropriate screening techniques. The questions concerning "voluntary" testing, individual rights-of-privacy, and the psychological effects of mandatory testing are also discussed. Separate chapters are devoted to testing in the military, in athletics, and in private industry. Other topics include the politics of drug-testing and the treatment and counseling of drug abusers. This fascinating and important work offers crucial information for policymakers, parents, employers and employees, and will be of particular value to those who are or will be the subjects of drug screening. By telling the story of drug testing, this book enlightens and clarifies the national debate.