Pubdate: Tue, 14 Mar 2006
Source: News-Review, The (Roseburg, OR)
Copyright: 2006 The News-Review
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.info
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2623
Author: Paul Craig
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

STATE GROUP TRYING TO TACKLE DRUGS IN AREA WORKPLACES

Don Skundrick, vice president of LTM Inc. of Central  Point, says 
taking drugs is the worst thing people can  do to their bodies.

He doesn't force that belief on others, though. Unless,  of course, 
they are on his payroll.

"As adults, you can make that choice, but not as my  employee you 
can't," he said.

Skundrick was in Roseburg Monday, addressing around 50  people at the 
Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce Noon  Forum. Skundrick chairs the 
Workdrugfree Employer Task  Group, an offshoot of the Oregon Business 
Plan, made up  of Oregon employers.

The group has been working for 1 1/2 years on creating  programs to 
reduce drug use in the workplace. Its goal  is to implement a 
statewide campaign that would get 75  percent of all businesses 
certified as drug free by  2008.

Skundrick said he's had to fire employees for testing  positive for 
illegal substances. He's also given  employees last chances, but, he 
said, nine out of 10  fail again.

The task group formed after a legislative bus tour  throughout the 
state two years ago. It started in  Medford and asked employers to 
share their concerns.

The main problem was finding employees who could pass a  drug test. 
Skundrick wondered at the time if it was  just a Southern Oregon issue.

"Then they went to Bend. Same thing," he said. "Then  they went to 
Salem. Same thing."

Oregon businesses spend $50 million a year on drug-free  workplace 
programs, according to Workdrugfree figures.

Even so, 60 percent of businesses surveyed identified  drug use as a 
"great" concern, but only 25 percent have  full drug-free workplace 
programs in place.

Roseburg was just one stop for Skundrick, who was  accompanied by 
Mimi Bushman with Workdrugfree and the  Oregon Nurses Foundation.

They said that within three years, the goal is to have  six regional 
pilot sites for drug-free workplace  certification, including one in 
Roseburg. Other plans  are to establish business mentors, training 
and financial incentives.

They want to make it possible for small employers to  set up such 
programs, even if they don't think they  have the time, expertise or 
money to start.

Skundrick suggested getting in touch with Douglas  County Communities 
Aligned to Prevent Substance Abuse  or the chamber to get involved. A 
representative from  ADAPT said his organization is also working on a 
local  drug-free certification program and interested  residents 
could call there, as well.

Skundrick said it's also important to get into schools.  He said it 
should start in junior high "at the latest."

"This is yours and my future work force," he said. "You  think you're 
having a hard time now? It's going to be  almost impossible to find 
the people you want to grow  your business with."

More than just school programs, Skundrick suggested  being frank with 
the younger generation. Tell them they  won't get a job if they use drugs.

He said make it especially clear that includes smoking marijuana.

"It will make a difference in some kid's life," he  said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman