Preemployment drug screening at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1989 and 1991

• Published in: The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 35
• Main Authors: Lange, W R, Cabanilla, B R, Moler, G, Bernacki, E J, Frankenfield, D L, Fudala, P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.1994
• Subjects: Adult; Baltimore - epidemiology; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Incidence; Job Application; Male; Personnel Selection; Personnel, Hospital; Psychotropic Drugs; Street Drugs; Substance Abuse Detection; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - prevention & control; Urban Population; Baltimore
• ISSN: 0095-2990
• DOI: 10.3109/00952999409084055

During identical 2-month periods in 1989 and 1991, all applicants for employment at a major teaching hospital participated in preemployment drug screening. In 1989, before establishment of a formal preemployment testing program, screening was conducted without identifying information. Of 593 applicants screened, 64 (10.8%) were confirmed positive for one or more drugs. Marijuana metabolites were detected with the greatest frequency (35 samples, 55% of positive screens), followed by cocaine (36%), then opiates (28%). In 1991, after a formal preemployment testing program was in place, 365 applicants were screened, and 21 (5.8%) were confirmed positive. Opiates were most often detected (48% of positive screens), followed by cocaine (38%), then marijuana metabolites (28%). During both periods, positive urine screens were associated with ethnicity (non-White) and occupational category (blue-collar). Whereas in 1989 positive screens were associated with male gender, in 1991, females were more likely to test positive. The decline in prevalence following implementation of a screening program supports the notion that preemployment testing can serve as a deterrent for drug-using persons in applying for employment.