Employing ex-addicts: determinants of support and opposition

In 1973 public hearings of the Temporary (N.Y.) State Commission to Evaluate the Drug Laws concluded with a report which documented pervasive controversy and discrimination in employing rehabilitated or ex-addicts. To analyze local attitudes to this issue, the present study targeted the audience of a recent Symposium "Employment of the Ex-Addict", held in Westchester County, New York, October, 1973. Ss (N = 83) completed a questionnaire to assess the nature and extent of proponent views, degree of commitment, and motivational components of support and opposition. The data strongly supported belief in the urgency of the need to employ. Educational and community measures of moderate activism were preferred to antidiscrimination legislation. Significant correlations were found between urgency and age, size of plant, and occupational group. Appeals to human rights and social rights were judged to be important positive reinforcers to employment, and the economic argument a greater deterrent than fear or prejudice. Study limitations, findings, and need for further behavioral organizational research were discussed.