The Effectiveness of Drug Testing in the Workplace
Is Drug Testing in the Workplace Truly Effective in Keeping Employees Drug Free?
In the field of Human Resources, employees are considered the most valuable resource. The job of a human resources representative is to find the best qualified person for the position. There are many forms of pre-employment testing that corporations use. Some use aptitude tests or other forms of intelligence testing, but more and more companies are now requiring a passing drug analysis as a condition for hire as well. Most employers now utilize a urinalysis, hair sample or oral swabs as detection for substance abuse. Drug testing in the workplace certainly holds most employees to a higher standard as far as their life outside of work. However, there are millions of employees who are flying below the radar and continuing with the lifestyle that they have known regardless of workplace drug testing or not.
The Drug Free Workplace Act was passed in 1988 with the intentions on providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. The Federal Registers (1988, 2000) report release from the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance states that the Drug Free Workplace Act requires compliance by all organizations contracting with any U.S. Federal Agency involving contracts of $100,000 or more. These contracts do not include the acquirement of commercial goods through a procurement contract or purchase agreement, and must be performed in whole in the United States. The Act also requires all organizations receiving federal grants, regardless of the amount to be in compliance and that all individual contractors and grant recipients, regardless of the value of the contract or grant meet the terms of the law.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2000), there are an estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs on a daily basis. Out of those 14.8 million, 77 percent are employed, leaving 9.4 million people under the influence while on the job.
In the field of Human Resources, employees are considered the most valuable resource. The job of a human resources representative is to find the best qualified person for the position. There are many forms of pre-employment testing that corporations use. Some use aptitude tests or other forms of intelligence testing, but more and more companies are now requiring a passing drug analysis as a condition for hire as well. Most employers now utilize a urinalysis, hair sample or oral swabs as detection for substance abuse. Drug testing in the workplace certainly holds most employees to a higher standard as far as their life outside of work. However, there are millions of employees who are flying below the radar and continuing with the lifestyle that they have known regardless of workplace drug testing or not.
The Drug Free Workplace Act was passed in 1988 with the intentions on providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. The Federal Registers (1988, 2000) report release from the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance states that the Drug Free Workplace Act requires compliance by all organizations contracting with any U.S. Federal Agency involving contracts of $100,000 or more. These contracts do not include the acquirement of commercial goods through a procurement contract or purchase agreement, and must be performed in whole in the United States. The Act also requires all organizations receiving federal grants, regardless of the amount to be in compliance and that all individual contractors and grant recipients, regardless of the value of the contract or grant meet the terms of the law.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2000), there are an estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs on a daily basis. Out of those 14.8 million, 77 percent are employed, leaving 9.4 million people under the influence while on the job.
References: Cozic, Charles P. (1998).Current Controversies: Illegal Drugs. Drug Testing Improves the Workplace. Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. (1988, April 11;1990, May 25). Retrieved September 17, 2008, from National Drug Free Workplace Alliance Web site: Hurley, Jennifer A. (1999).Employee Drug Testing is Unconstitutional and Ineffective. Opposing Viewpoints: Drug Abuse. Poole, Edward W. (2004, March 27). Drug Testing Employees. Retrieved September 29, 2008, from OHS Health and Safety Services, Inc Web site: site: (2000). Drugs in The Workplace. Retrieved September 17, 2008, from http://workplace.samhsa.gov/DrugTesting/Files_Drug_Testing/FactSheet/ Workplace Resoucres-Infofacts. (2008, June). Retrieved September 17, 2008, from National Institue on Drug Abuse Web site: http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/workplace.html