What is Drug Testing

Drug testing refers to the analysis of biological material to detect the presence or absence

of drugs and metabolites within the human body. Metabolites are the substances into which

drugs, including alcohol, are converted by the human body. The presence of metabolites shows

that the relevant substances have been used in the recent past. The most common form of testing

for illicit drugs is the analysis of urine samples. For alcohol, breath tests are more common, and

these are often followed up by blood tests for confirmation. Oral fluid, hair and sweat can be

used to conduct test to find the presence of drugs or alcohol.

Drug Testing in the Workplace

Drug testing in the workplace refers to all kinds of employee related drug testing. The basic forms of drug testing are pre employment testing, routine medicals, transfer testing, mandatory random testing, post accident testing, ‘for cause’ testing, post treatment or follow up testing, and voluntary testing. All of these methods of drug test could be utilized either independently or in a variety of combinations. Also sometimes companies may test everyone who works for the company from senior management on down. Random drug testing can also be given with or without notice to the employee.

Drug testing in the United States became popular during the 1970s as an attempt to prevent the spread of drug abuse in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. It was then that companies started to observe their employees more closely on the job and they began to investigate injuries that happen while employees were on the clock. Since the introduction of drug test in the workplace, human resources managers are now required by the Federal Government to administer drug test to final job candidates, unless the business is privately owned. Some companies are reluctant to implement drug-testing policies. Drug testing is viewed by some business owners as an invasion of rights not unlike pre-employment polygraph testing, which recently was banned by the Federal Government (1988 Public Law No. 100-347). Should employers have the right to drug test employees?

Why Drug Test

Drugs have been used all over the world by professionals and employees in key positions at many companies. About 8.4 percent of full-time employees and 10.1 percent part-time employees reported using illicit drugs within the past year. A drug is any chemical substance that alters the mind of individuals causing then to perform slowly and be unproductive in the workplace. Employees who use drugs while on the job, are very detrimental to a company’s success. These individual don’t understand the danger that they place themselves and their colleagues in when the try to perform work related duties while under the influence of drugs. Employees who use drugs are 2.5 times more likely than non drug using employees to be absent 8 or more days from work, 3.6 times more likely to be in a work related incident, and 5 times more likely to file a workers compensation claim. (SAMHSA, 2014) Most also believe that drug tests reduce accidents and product defects. Drug testing in the workplace has helped improve employee morale, prevent accidents, and it has also helped save companies also of money. A study of 459 workplace deaths conducted in Alberta, Canada revealed 10 workers who tested positive for cannabis. There has been a very close relationship between protecting the safety of employees and drug testing in the workplace. Overtime, there has been several incidents that have been connected with drug related issues. With the the implementation of drug testing, many companies are getting the results they wanted, a decline in the number of applicants testing positive for drugs. Other companies have witnessed an improvement safety and production.

A Drug-Free Workplace

Employers have a strong interest in their staffs performance, as though they should. Research evidence has suggested that by drug testing employees, it helps to cut down on employee absences, improve performance and productivity, protect the safety of others and improve the company’s reputation, although some companies have reported damaging relations with employees. There are some employers who have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employee Assistance Programs help to provide counseling and referral to employees struggling with drug problems. “The Department of Labor’s online Drug-Free Workplace Advisor helps employers develop customized drug-free workplace policies by reviewing the different components of a comprehensive policy and then generating a written policy statement based on user’s responses to pre-set questions and statements.” (dol.gov) The Drug-Free Workplace Advisor test helps employers the eye to identify a bad apple. It is important to understand and incorporate the various state and Federal regulations that may apply. It is also recommended that legal consultation be sought before commencing a drug testing program.

There are a number of aspects of drug testing that raise ethical and legal issues. Employers believe that employees taking illicit drugs are engaging in an illegal activity. Employers have health and safety responsibilities to their employees and to the public at large and they do not want take a risk on an employee who abuses drugs. Employers want reliable employees who are able to be productive at work without the use of drugs. It is important to understand

Conclusion

The basic forms of drug testing are pre employment testing, routine medicals, transfer testing, mandatory random testing, post accident testing, for cause testing, post treatment or follow up testing, and voluntary testing. Companies have implemented drug test because it helps to cut down on employee absences, improve performance and productivity, protect the safety of others. With the implementation of drug testing, many companies are getting the results they wanted, a decline in the number of applicants testing positive for drugs.

References

Alleyne BC, Stuart P, Copes R. Alcohol and other drug use in occupational fatalities. J Occup Med 33(4):496-500 (1991).

Elaws - Drug-Free Workplace Advisor. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2015, from http://www.dol.gov/elaws/asp/drugfree/drugs/dt.asp

Rountree, P. (n.d.). Drug Testing and Workplace Accidents. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from https://www.aiha.org/aihce04/handouts/rt227rountree1.pdf

Jenkins, C. (n.d.). DRUG TESTING IN THE WORKPLACE. Retrieved February 22, 2015, from http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Publications/Bkground/BP91-02.pdf