Why Should I Consider Drug Testing For My Company?

 

When considering  a drug testing program, the first question to ask is, "Am I required to drug test some of my employees?" If not, then ask, "Are there other reasons I should consider drug testing?" Below are some of the most frequently given reasons employers give for having a drug testing program.

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• To comply with federal regulations, e.g., The Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Department of Energy.

• To comply with customer or contract requirements.

• To comply with business and Workman's Compensation insurance carrier requirements.

• To match other employer efforts, and to minimize the chance of hiring employees who may be users or abusers.

• To reinforce the company's position on "no drug use."

• To comply with the family court requirements.

• To identify current users and abusers and refer them for assistance.

• To settle family disputes.

• To establish grounds for discipline or firing.

• To intervene where drug use is suspected among teenagers.

• To improve safety in the workplace.

• To convince "casual users" that the cost of using is too high.

• To deter "recreational " drug use that could lead to addiction.

• To reduce the costs associated with alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace.

• To give recovering users another reason to stay sober (relapse prevention).

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What types of drug tests are available?

There are several types, including: blood, hair follicle, saliva, urine, and sweat.

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Which test type is most accurate?

It depends on the level of testing that is required. If the test results are needed for court or legal litigation, we recommend a Certified lab test such as a hair follicle or urine test. Only Certified Lab Tested urine or hair follicle test results can be used in a court of law. 

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Should I require a blood or a urine test?

It depends on the convenience factor. For blood testing you need needles and a professional phlebotomist. For urine tests you need a certified collector. Urine testing has a wider detection window than blood and that is why it is more commonly administered.

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Regarding verification and accuracy, how is the collection conducted?

We follow the Federal SAMHSA Gold Standard collection policy closely. We verify donor's identification by photo I.D., have them remove outerwear, and empty their pockets at the time of collection. All collection sites are monitored and secured to reduce efforts to adulterate the specimens or to submit false specimens.

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How long does marijuana stay in the body?

It depends on the frequency, amount, and potency of the drug that the user ingests.

 

Which drug stays in the system the longest?

THC in Marijuana. THC blends with the fat cells unlike most other drug metabolites.

 

What are "rapid result" tests?

Immunoassay screening tests that will indicate a positive or negative result only. These tests are not lab tested, do not show amounts of each drug metabolite in the specimen, and cannot be used as verified evidence in a court of law.

 

What are the signs of a person using Marijuana?

Altered perceptions, red eyes, dry mouth, reduced concentration and coordination, euphoria, panic reaction, and impaired short-term memory.

 

My teenage child may be using Methamphetamines. How can I be sure?

Look for these physical signs: Alertness, talkativeness, increased blood pressure/heart rate, loss of appetite, wakefulness, weight loss, mood elevation, irritability, hyperactivity, fatigue, exhaustion, aggressiveness, severe anxiety, paranoia, and/or depression.

 

How far back does a hair follicle test?

Drug residue and metabolites can be present in hair follicles for up to 90 days per segment. Each segment equals about 1.5 inches of hair, and can go back further into testing if the donor has longer hair.

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What is Fentanyl? Do standard 5 or 10-panel tests cover it?

Fentanyl is a highly addictive and potent synthetic opiate. It is not offered on standard mandated panels, but can be added as a panel for an extra fee. Lawmakers and Drug Testing Authorities are in the process of making testing for Fentanyl a priority due to itʻs widespread use.