Ira A. Lipman

In the following viewpoint, Ira A. Lipman argues in favor of employee drug testing. Because most drug abusers are members of the workforce, he contends, employee drug testing significantly reduces drug abuse by making employment contingent upon abstinence from drugs. Furthermore, notes Lipman, the majority of employers and employees support drug-testing programs. Lipman is chairman of the board and president of Guardsmark, a private security firm in New York.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Lipman, what are the workplace costs of employee drug abuse?
2. What are the characteristics of an optimum drug-testing program, in the author’s opinion?
3. In Lipman’s view, what are the risks of “for cause” testing"

Drug tests on the job are nothing new. In January 1987, 21% of the corporate members...