Drug testing works best when implemented based on a clear, written policy that is shared with all employees, along with employee education about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, supervisor training on the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, and an Employee Assistance Program EAP to provide help for employees who may have an alcohol or drug problem.
Alcohol and drug abuse creates significant safety and health hazards and can result in decreased productivity and poor employee morale. It also can lead to additional costs in the form of health care claims, especially short-term disability claims. How is drug testing conducted and how accurate is it? Generally, most private employers have a fair amount of latitude in implementing drug testing as they see fit for their organization, unless they are subject to certain Federal regulations, such as the U.
While private employers are not required to follow these guidelines, doing so can help them stay on safe legal ground. Court decisions have supported following these guidelines, and as a result, many employers choose to follow them. They also identify the five substances tested for in Federal drug-testing programs and require the use of drug labs certified by SAMHSA.
An employee or applicant provides a sample to be tested. Usually precautions are taken, such as putting blue dye in the toilet and turning off the water supply, to prevent adulteration or substitution of specimens so that collection can be completed in privacy without any direct visual observation by another person. The accuracy of drug tests done by certified laboratories is very high, but this certification applies only to the five substances tested for in Federal drug-testing programs and alcohol.
In the event that the initial screen and confirmation test are both positive, MRO, a licensed medical doctor who has special training in the area of substance abuse, then reviews the results, makes sure the chain-of-custody procedures were followed, and contacts the individual to make sure there are no medical or other reasons for the result.
It is only at this point that the MRO may report a positive test result to the employer. Certain medications can sometimes cause a positive result. If this is the case, and a doctor prescribed the medicine and the employee used it in the proper amount, the test is reported as negative.
Although a second test is not required, all employers should include this right in their drug-testing programs. Depending on the workplace and the circumstances, employees who test positive may be referred to EAPs, into treatment, or for disciplinary action.
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Banners Banner - DWP. Main page content Learn about workplace drug testing, including types of tests, what drugs are tested for, and how test results are verified. Any workplace drug-testing program should comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Conducting Drug Tests Federal agencies must use certified labs and follow other guidelines for drug testing. False results. Recreational Drugs and Intoxicants. Test your knowledge. Prior to beginning an aerobic exercise, which of the following activities seems to be most effective for facilitating safe exercise?
More Content. Drug Testing By Gerald F. Click here for Patient Education. Certain groups of people, commonly including students, athletes, and prisoners. People who have been involved in motor vehicle or boating accidents or accidents at work. People required to participate in a drug testing program as part of custody or parental rights. Was This Page Helpful?
Yes No. Injection Drug Use. Adverse Drug Reactions. Drug Hypersensitivity. Stress Testing. A drug test looks for the presence of one or more illegal or prescription drugs in your urine, blood, saliva, hair, or sweat. Urine testing is the most common type of drug screening. The drugs most often tested for include:. Other names: drug screen, drug test, drugs of abuse testing, substance abuse testing, toxicology screen, tox screen, sports doping tests.
Drug screening is used to find out whether or not a person has taken a certain drug or drugs. It may be used for:. You may have to take a drug test as a condition of your employment, in order to participate in organized sports, or as part of a police investigation or court case. Your health care provider may order drug screening if you have symptoms of drug abuse.
These symptoms include:. A drug test generally requires that you give a urine sample in a lab. You will be given instructions to provide a "clean catch" sample. The clean catch method includes the following steps:. In certain instances, a medical technician or other staff member may need to be present while you provide your sample.
For a blood test for drugs, you will go to a lab to provide your sample. During the test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
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