Many region companies require drug screening

A recent Empower Porter County survey found the majority of people responding to a survey question on drug testing said their companies require pre-employment drug screening.

The survey, conducted in July 2013, was sent to owners or key contacts with the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, Duneland Chamber of Commerce and Portage Chamber of Commerce, said Heather Harrigan Hitz, executive director of EMPOWER Porter County.

A total of 201 people participated in the overall survey, although only 123 answered the survey question about what type of drug testing their company requires.

The survey showed that 49 of respondents, or 39.8 percent, said their businesses required pre-employment drug testing. In addition, 40 respondents, or 32.5 percent, said their businesses required random drug screening.

Another 35, or 28.5 percent of respondents, said their companies required drug testing following an accident.