Most Illicit Drug Users
and Heavy Alcohol Users are in the Workplace and May Pose Special Problems...
Most of the nation’s approximately 16.4 million current illicit drug users
and approximately 15 million heavy alcohol users hold full-time jobs,
according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA).
The study, Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs, shows
that substance use can pose significant risks to workers’ health and
productivity. The report also says that workers who use illicit drugs are
less likely than nonusers to be employed by companies that have drug or
alcohol testing policies and programs.
More...
Every person in America is affected by the economic changes occurring in the world today. If it has not affected your business, it has affected your family. The nightly news reports a daily report of company after company going “under” or making serious cuts in employment. What or how can OHSA help you to abide by your company policy and reduce your over all cost of drug testing? Better yet, in these tough times, do you stop testing completely?
We have two suggestions to help you cut your testing
costs:
* One suggestion to companies not mandated to do random testing at the 50%
level is to cut back on your percentage of testing. A smaller percentage
still keeps the accountability but decreases the cost. At any time OHSA can
change your percentage needed.
* Another suggestion would be to send your applicants directly to a
lab for collection. The collection fee is the only variable in the cost of
the drug screen. The lab site is always the lowest cost for collection. Our
goal is to always set you up with the most convenient, cost effective
location. However, you may have requested a clinic location to do both your
physicals and drug screens to save your employee’s time. The average cost
savings at the lab over the clinic is approximately five ($5.00) per test.
We are always flexible to change your drug screens to another location.
A: Each person's body is different,
however we have a reference guide from LabCorp to help explain the different
drugs and the detection time in a urine drug screen.
Labcorp's Reference Guide
A: If someone over-hydrates before a drug screen is collected, it can cause a dilute specimen. In addition, there are also "special" teas and other liquids someone can drink that can cause a "dilute" specimen.
We counsel our clients to make a policy regarding dilute drug screens and stick with it. You MUST treat all dilute drug tests the same way, as you don't want to open yourself up for a lawsuit. Most of our clients usually send the person for another drug screen (usually the first thing in the morning).
Basically, in a nutshell, a "dilute" specimen is really a matter of intent.
A: As of 8/25/08, the Department of Transportation
requires the following types of DOT drug screens to be observed:
* All “RETURN TO DUTY” drug tests.
* All “FOLLOW-UP” drug tests.
For more info...
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
Nearly 75 percent of all adult illicit drug users are employed, as are most binge and heavy alcohol users.
Studies show that when
compared with non-substance abusers, substance abusing employees are more
likely to...
For Additional Facts & Statistics:
*InfoFacts from NIDA: Costs to Society
* Frequently Asked questions from the Office of National Drug Control Policy