Mandatory Drug Testing Argumentative Essay

The issue of mandatory drug testing for certain jobs is perplexing and a complicated topic. After hearing both sides of the debate presented in class, I feel that drug testing for certain jobs is a beneficial aspect to incorporate into the workplace. I feel this way due to the potential that testing for drugs in certain jobs such as healthcare, government officials, law enforcement and other occupations that involve decisions that can directly impact the lives of others, has on removing harmful individuals from positions of power and the direct influence that testing has on those individuals to avoid drugs while working.
By enforcing a drug testing policy, the hope is to disincentive the appeal of drug use. The ever-present possibility of
Another point against mandatory drug testing is the issue of costs for either the necessary equipment or tools to test each employee. The argument against this is that the total cost for each test is outweighed by the possibility of a lawsuit or legal ramifications from another individual or party who was harmed or wronged by an employee while they were under the influence of either alcohol or another substance due to the absence of mandatory drug testing. Arguments against mandatory drug testing states the possibility of false positives in the results of drug tests. This is a valid point in that the purpose of mandatory drug testing is remove those under the influence and are impaired from their responsibility and at the same time, keep other members of society from harm. To counter that argument, the punishment for testing positive would be an immediate removal from the position but not a dismissal from their employment and to undergo additional testing to determine if the original positive result was the product of a false positive or an indication of use while in their respective