Shultz Would Take Drug Test; Had Rejected Polygraph

Secretary of State George P. Shultz, who said last year that he would quit rather than take a polygraph exam, will submit to the drug test President Reagan has suggested for all federal employees in national security and other sensitive posts, a spokesman said Tuesday.

“He will take it; the department supports the President’s initiative against drugs,” spokesman Charles E. Redman said.

Shultz had objected strongly to government use of lie detectors as part of a crackdown on news leaks, but he takes a different view of drug testing, Redman said.

“Drug testing is a much more reliable scientific tool,” Redman said. “It’s a definitive test. It’s relatively non-intrusive. It’s extremely accurate. Under law, its value as evidence is considered to be highly probative.”

Reagan, in announcing the anti-drug program Monday, said he and members of his Cabinet would willingly submit to testing. He said it would not be required of all federal employees.