Perception of Substance Abuse Program Effectiveness and Communication Practices in Florida Municipal Governments

Abstract

In the recent past, public organizations have enacted substance abuse policies with increasing vigor in order to curb worker related drug abuse. A great deal is known about the legal aspects of drug testing. Far less information, however, exists to assess how frequently city officials communicate substance abuse policies to their employees. With the aid from responses of Florida city officials, this study assesses the intensity with which information is distributed to municipal employees. In addition, the research seeks to determine if communication is influenced based on the perceived benefits resulting from the implementation of organizational substance abuse policies. Results of the study indicate a higher than anticipated level of communication passivity in many Florida cities. Furthermore, survey results indicate that one in four respondents are unsure of the effect that their policies have on reducing worker drug abuse behavior. One of the single most important aspects of modem management.