A survey by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) indicated that many administrators are moving positively to protect their agencies against drug abuse. While drug testing policies are being developed, some departments have implemented interim measures including monitoring the presence of certain indicators of drug abuse among officers. According to a recent public opinion poll, 85 percent of citizens believe that police departments should institute routine drug testing for officers. Furthermore, police administrators could be held liable in cases where an officer's performance is impaired by drug use. In formulating a drug policy, police managers must consider privacy rights, legal aspects of testing, community standards, and implementation measures. To deal with drug abuse among officers, departments should develop a comprehensive drug abuse program, initiate an educational campaign for employees, and design guidelines for drug testing. 5 references
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