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Drug Testing. Is it in you?. History. The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 Required contractors and government agencies provide a drug free workplace before they could receive federal contracts. Drug testing up 288% since 1988 Last year 50 million drug tests were given to employees.
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Drug Testing Is it in you?
History • The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 • Required contractors and government agencies provide a drug free workplace before they could receive federal contracts. • Drug testing up 288% since 1988 • Last year 50 million drug tests were given to employees
Public Vs. Private • Public • Only test if they have reasonable suspicion of work related drug use. • Exceptions for public safety, national security or other highly regulated industries. • Private • 14 states have regulated aspects of drug tests • State legislatures try to ensure accurate and responsible testing as well as confidentiality.
Reasons to test • Saves the company money on insurance costs • Drug users waste more sick time, and are away from work more often • Low costs relative to benefits • The big one; LOST PRODUCTIVITY • Higher risk of accidents to other workers, themselves and customers • The costs of litigation that arises from drug related incidents
What Should a Drug Testing Policy Include? • The drugs you are testing for • Who will be tested and under what conditions • The consequences of testing positive or refusing to take the test • Who pays for the drug test • Drug testing procedures
When to Drug Test? • Pre-Employment Tests • Pre-Promotion Tests • Annual Physical Tests • Reasonable Suspicion and For Cause Tests • Random Tests • Post Accident Tests • Treatment Follow-up Tests
Types of Drug Testing Methods • Urine Test-most common test • Blood Test-most expensive, used in extreme or unique cases • Alternative Specimen Test-very expensive, but very accurate • Breath Alcohol Test
Cheating the Drug Test • Urine Additives • Toxin Removal from blood and urine • Drink a lot of cranberry juice/water • Detoxifying Shampoo • Saliva Cleansing Solution
Pros; the numbers • 65% of all accidents on the job are drug related • In 1987 18.1% of all workers tested had positive results. In 1997 it was only 5.4% • Average employer loses $7,000 a year for every employee that abuses drugs/alcohol • Drug use cost employers $75-$100 Billion • A drug user is 4 times more likely to be involved in a work related accident, terminated for cause. • Texaco estimates a $2.5 million dollar savings, over 4 years, on insurance at their New Orleans plant alone.
Cons • Instills a lack of trust in some employees • Show use not necessarily abuse • Kaiser Permanente found there was no significant difference in health care costs between employees who tested positive and those who tested negative. • Programs may not yield benefits that justify the costs. • Challenges from the ACLU • Added Expense for the Company • Costs of Individual Test: • Urine = $44 • Alternative (Hair)= $115-$150
References • www.health.org • www.testclear.com • www.aclu.org • www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/testing.html