Citation

Zwerling CS, Ryan J, Orav EJ. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 1990; 264(20): 2639-2643.

Affiliation

Boston Postal Service Medical Unit, MA.

Comment In:

JAMA 1992;267(1):52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2232039

Abstract

We present a prospective, controlled study of the association between preemployment drug screening results and employment outcomes in 2537 postal employees. For identified marijuana users, relative risk for turnover was 1.56 (95% confidence interval Cl., 1.17 to 2.08); accidents, 1.55 (95% Cl, 1.16 to 2.08); injuries, 1.85 (95% Cl, 1.30 to 2.64); and discipline, 1.55 (95% Cl, 1.03 to 2.32). Their mean absence rate was 7.1% compared with 4.0% for nonusers. For identified cocaine users, relative risk for turnover was 1.15 (95% Cl, 0.65 to 2.05); accidents, 1.59 (95% Cl, 0.95 to 2.67); injuries, 1.85 (95% Cl, 1.01 to 3.39); and discipline, 1.40 (95% Cl, 0.62 to 3.17). Their mean absence rate was 9.8%. Our study shows that a preemployment drug screen positive for marijuana or cocaine is associated with adverse employment outcomes. The level of risk, however, is much less than previously estimated. This finding has important implications for the social, legal, and economic arguments for and against drug testing.

Language: en