Drug Testing: A powerful force in the war on drugs.
Almost overnight it has become fashionable to talk of testing millions of people at work for both alcohol and drugs. Just a few years ago the idea seemed so extreme that the government cut it out of the White Paper altogether – with small concessions for prisons and roadside. In a dramatic policy shift, drug czar Keith Halliwell and government Ministers have started encouraging drug testing by employers. They are following a quiet revolution, largely unreported because firms have been scared of drug tests by bad publicity.
Benefits Of Drug Testing For Employers & Employees
Drug Testing- A growing force in the war on drugs. Drug Testing Good For Business, Good For The Workforce
The true fact is that in the not to far future, it will be almost impossible for recreational drug users to get a job with larger companies. Drug testing at work is probably the single most effective weapon we have against adult substance abuse. It is a proven, low cost strategy which identifies those needing help, reduces demand, cuts accidents and sick leave, improves attendance and increases productivity.
80% of all large companies already spend over 200m a year testing for drugs at work, affecting 40% of the US work force. By 2005 up to 80% of all workers will be covered by drug tests. But Britain also has a significant and growing problem with addiction. 8% of men and 2% of women in Britain abuse drugs or alcohol, costing at least ?3bn a year in accidents and absence alone. Every office, factory, train operator, airline, construction company and hospital is affected with serious risks to public health and profitability. Workplace drug testing in America is being forced on employers for economic and safety reasons. Drug companies that don’t test will go bust. Their insurance premiums will go through the roof.
US studies show that substance abusers (including alcohol) are 33% less productive, three times as likely to be late, four times as likely to hurt others at work or themselves, five times as likely to sue for compensation, and ten times as likely to miss work.
When the State of Ohio introduced random drug testing they found absenteeism dropped 91%, there were 88% less problems with supervisors and 97% decrease in on-the-job injuries. These results are so striking that many companies are now screening job applicants.
One plastics company realized many workers were taking amphetamines to keep awake after they lengthened shifts to twelve hours. Staff found tell-tale powder residues and scratch marks on equipment. They estimated that 20% of the workforce were taking drugs. After random drug testing was introduced drug-taking fell to negligible levels.
A Wisconsin cardboard factory was contacted recently by their insurers who were worried about high levels of injuries. Random drug testing was introduced and accidents fell 72% the following year, with an 80% decrease in days lost as a result.
Drug Testing, Methods & Terms
Drug testing whether given for pre-employment, random or reasonable suspicion purposes is a proven, low cost strategy which identifies those needing help, reduces demand, cuts accidents and sick leave, improves attendance and increases productivity. One thing is clear: drug and alcohol testing will continue to spread fast in the coming years as the most practical and cost effective way to strengthen existing drugs and alcohol policies at work.
Below are the 3 most common methods of drug testing:
1. A drug test kit for urine is the most prevalent type of drug test. Drugs will remain undetected in the urine first 4-8 hours.
Drug retention times are as follows:
(A)(THC)Marijuana 1 day – 4 weeks; (B) OPI -1-2 days; (C) AMP – 1-2 days; (D) M-amphetamine 1-2 days; (E) COC 1-4 days.
2. Drug test kits for hair can go in time up to 90 days. Hair samples must be cut very close to the scalp, need a length of 1 1/2 inches, amount of hair (60-80 strands) we do not carry hair tests at this time.
3. Drug test kit for saliva is preferable because it is less intrusive than urine, and there are currently no known methods for defeating saliva testing (we recommend the iScreen oral-6 Saliva test kit. Detect up to 6 drugs.
Drug Testing Terms:
(1) Pre-employment drug test, (2) Post accident drug test, (3) On-site drug test,(4) Clinical drug tests, (5) Random drug test, (6) instant drug tests, (6) GC/MS Confirmation drug testing through a SAMHSA certified lab. (7) Employee drug test,(8) Workplace drug test. We believe these terms to be pretty self explanatory, if you have any questions feel free to call our office.
Order drug tests online or give us a call to set up an account: 1-888-404-0020.
