W. Islip business targets substance abuse

Christine Herzlinger generally gets a "mixed" reception when she walks into the offices of companies here. That's because she tests employees for drug and alcohol abuse.

"Usually the ones who are not happy are the ones who have something to hide," said Herzlinger, who four years ago established a business out of such testing. Her West Islip-based company, which now employs three part-time workers, is called DFW Testing, for drug free workforce.

Ultimately, Herzlinger said, employees come around to the view that drug and alcohol testing is to their benefit. "We're not there to catch and punish people," Herzlinger said. Employers hire Herzlinger, and she now has 10 companies who are clients, up from seven only a year ago.

The business has been growing as awareness spreads about the dangers of drunken driving and alcohol abuse. Employees who fail tests are sometimes sent to programs for treatment, depending on company policy.

By having a drug and alcohol policy in place, some employers are eligible for reduction in workers' compensation and general liability. Herzlinger began four years ago, after working for a doctor in Farmingdale and running the office, including managing drug and alcohol tests.

DFW handles all aspects of testing, including the paperwork and sending samples to one of three labs it uses. Herzlinger said she's seeing more and more abuse of prescription drugs, and she believes the increase in overall abuse stems from the tough economy.

Herzlinger said her business is profitable. But money isn't everything. "Employees are getting the help they need, and employers are getting rid of people who are costing the company money," she said.