continuation of article from home page on Federal Workplace policy to start using Hair and Saliva for drug testing.

 however, because it would signal the governments approval for such testing which many companies are awaiting before adopting their own screening programs.

The rule is subject to a 90 day public comment period. A final plan could be issued by years end.

"What we think is going to happen with the introduction of alternative specimens is, it's going to make it much tougher for individuals to be able to adequately prepare and to avoid detection." said Robert Stephenson, director  of the workplace programs division of the Substance Abuse and Mental  Health Administration.

However, the number of federal workers that attempt to defraud tests is "virtually zero," Stephenson said. The positive rate for federal workers has fallen to less than 0.5 percent, from 18% early in the program, which began in 1986 when President Reagan issued an executive order declaring, that the federal work force must be drug free.

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association, with about 1200 members, has lobied for the regulations since the mid 1990's, said Laura Shelton, executive director of the Alexandria, VA based group. The rules are expected to be a boon to the industry.

"It will greatly increase the use of them," Shelton said, speaking of the alternative tests. " A lot fo employers have been sitting in the back saying "Well, these aren't approved for federal testing, so maybe something is not quite right" even though there are studies out there showing they are effective."

A survey by the American Management Association found that drug testing employers is declining. About 68% of the companies responding to the 2001 survey said they conducted medical testing, down from 77% in 1998.

Test can cost $20 to $50, with hair testing the most expensive. Shelton said. Saliva and sweat test cost only slightly more than urine tests.

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