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Drug Abuse and Testing in Law Enforcement

NCJ Number
135980
Journal
Chiefs of Police Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 10-11,13
Author(s)
A J Harvey; W M Troop; J Lovitt
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement agencies must address the problem of employee drug abuse and are establishing training, drug testing, and related programs to deal with it.
Abstract
High entrance standards, thorough background checks, a professional code of ethics, and the nature of the job have all helped law enforcement minimize its own drug abuse problem. However, law enforcement agencies must assess their own problems and develop appropriate programs. Interim measures include training of supervisors and managers. In addition, establishing a drug testing program makes sense. In implementing a policy and program, police chiefs must fully examine all relevant issues including legal aspects, privacy rights, property interests, community standards, employee tolerances, and implementation considerations. The Kentucky State Police drug testing policy and program provides an example of how to develop and implement a drug testing program.