Ask a Question About Employer Drug Testing
Confused about the intricacies of employer drug testing? You’re not alone. Whether you’re an employer looking for guidance or an employee with concerns, our experts can help clarify the process for you. Simply click below to ask your question, and we’ll get back to you with a well-informed answer. Let’s navigate this complex topic together.
Workplace Drug Testing Programs & Services
Employers can access immediate drug testing or set up an account for ongoing drug testing. Services available in all areas of the United States.
Is your company in search of a workplace drug testing program or do you need help developing one? National Drug Screening offers employer programs for drug and alcohol testing, drug-free workplace policy development and consulting services for small and large companies across the United States. Our employer drug testing programs are designed to be in compliance with Federal and State laws and to reduce the employer’s exposure to liability.
Substance abuse in the workplace is not only unsafe, it can cost your company a lot of money, whether it be from workman comp claims, excessive absenteeism or increased health care costs. By implementing a drug free workplace policy, you are protecting your employees and your business.
Learn more about how we can help you create a comprehensive workplace drug testing program. Call 866-843-4545 or contact us for an employer drug testing account.
Consortium/Third Party Administrator (C/TPA) Services
As a service agent, National Drug Screening (NDS) provides a variety of services that help our clients maintain an effective and compliant drug and alcohol testing program. NDS offers a full range of services and the initial consultation with an employer is always available at no cost to help the employer make the most informed decision for their workplace and employees.
As a Consortium/Third Party Administrator (C/TPA), National Drug Screening provides services for thousands of employers across the United States. The term Consortium refers to a random testing program where groups of employers join together to participate in a managed random testing program that is most often managed by a TPA or C/TPA.
National Drug Screening is an accredited Consortium/Third Party Administrator (C/TPA). Check out all of our trust seals, certification, reviews and accreditations.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Solutions for Employers
- Instant Testing
- Point of Collection Testing (POCT)
- Onsite Testing
- K-2 Spice Testing
- Bath Salts Testing
- Breath Alcohol Testing
- Mobile Drug Testing
- Job Fair Drug Testing
- Urine Drug Testing
- Oral Fluid Drug Testing
- Hair Drug Testing
- Alcohol Testing – EtG/EtS
- DOT Testing
- US Coast Guard Required Testing
- Random Drug Testing
- Pre-Employment Testing
- After hours and 24/7 Testing
All testing includes initial screening and confirmation with GC/MS confirmation by a SAMHSA-certified laboratory and a test review by a Medical Review Officer.
Why is Drug Testing so Effective?
Oral fluid, urine and hair sample drug tests have the convenience of being configurable. This means that the tests can be adjusted to detect a specific set of drugs that the workplace is most concerned about. These tests are conducted in “panels” of 5-10 or more, depending on the needs of the business. If prescription drugs are the concern, these can be configured, and if illegal substances like marijuana or cocaine are higher priority, these can also be included.
Attempting to cheat on the urine drug has become popular among drug uses. However, it is very difficult to “cheat” these tests, unless employees have sufficient warning in advance to clear their systems. In the case of urine samples, the majority of drugs will remain in the system, creating a detectable substance called metabolites that can be screened up to week after use. With hair sample testing, the metabolites are so highly concentrated in hair fibers that drug use can be detected up to 90 days after use. Oral fluid testing will detect drugs used the same day or up to three days. It is very difficult to cheat on hair or oral fluid drug testing.
The Benefits of Implementing a Drug Testing Program
Implementing drug testing program in the workplace has a number a quality-of-life benefits for any company or business. While drug use is not the only reason for reduced worker efficiency, when it is present, it can have a dramatic impact on everything from the quality of work to the ability to make clear, sensible decisions without impaired judgment.
For workers, it significantly increases the safety of a workplace. Many accidents in the workplace can be traced to substance abuse, either as a result of drug use during work, or the effects of impaired working or thinking ability that come afterwards. This also has the added side effect of creating more trust and a higher sense of morale.
Staff know that the people around them are unimpaired, and that everyone is working at or near their full capability.
If a workplace drug testing policy is widely known and announced, it also acts a preventive measure. New incoming employees will be of a more reliable, higher caliber, simply because the ones that do use drugs simply won’t apply for a job if they know ahead of time about the drug free workplace policy.
National Drug Screening has seen how much good a drug testing policy can do for a workplace. Give us a call and see how we can do the same for you.
Program Components
Studies have indicated that implementing a successful drug free workplace program involves five key components:
- A written policy
- Employee education
- Supervisor training
- An employee assistance program
- Drug testing
Your business can implement the key components of a drug free workplace easily with a turnkey program offered by National Drug Screening. We help companies throughout the United States put together a program that is compliant with Federal and State laws and customized for your business needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you.
What Drugs do we Test For?
We offer thorough and complete drug testing services. Depending on the type of business you have and necessary compliance with Federal and State laws, we can test for the following:
- Amphetamines & Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Opiates: Codeine, Morphine, Heroin
- Expanded Opiates: Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone
- Phencyclidine
- Marijuana Metabolite
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Methadone
- Propoxyphene
- Methaqualone
- Alcohol – EtG/EtS
- Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT)
- Ketamine
- Buprenorphine
- Tramadol and/or Metabolites such as Ultram
- Fentanyl such as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze
- Meperidine and/or Metabolites such as Demerol
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines and Stimulants
Drug Testing Services for Healthcare and Medical Professionals
National Drug Screening provides drug and alcohol testing services for healthcare and medical professionals nationwide. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, pharmacies and other licensed professional organizations require certain drug testing for employees. Our healthcare professional profiles are specifically designed to test healthcare workers for highly addictive and readily available prescription drugs.
The healthcare professional panels we offer include a variety of expanded drugs for testing. We work with several partners to match the Healthcare Professional Panel (HPP) or Medical Professional Panels (MedPro) required by the employer. Learn more about drug test panels for healthcare employees.
Understanding the Importance of a Drug Free Workplace Policy
Drug abuse is unhealthy. It can diminish workers’ ability to cooperate and work well. It can reduce long-term productivity and profits. It can reduce quality of life, both in the workplace and elsewhere, for those who are using illicit drugs or using alcohol in an unhealthy manner. Drug use is illegal!
Why should your company implement a drug free workplace policy?
- To comply with laws, regulations contractual requirements
- To qualify for insurance discounts, rebates, and other incentives
- To prevent associated problems (e.g., absenteeism, accidents, injuries, productivity loss)
- To respond to an incident or pattern of substance abuse
- To express support for the majority of employees who do not abuse alcohol or other drugs
- To invest in worker health, safety, and productivity
- For many Rationale (e.g., laws, regulations, organizational goals)
- Expectations for compliance (e.g., who, what, when, where)
- Options offered for assistance (e.g., an EAP, community resources)
- Consequences for violating the policy (e.g., discipline, referral for assistance, termination) employers, one serious accident, one major financial problem, one breach of confidentiality or one troubled employee can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and even jeopardize a company’s financial future.
How to Implement a Drug Testing Policy
One of the chief concerns that many have about implementing drug testing, if they’re unfamiliar with it, is an issue of interrupting operations. Some see the implementation of a system as invasive of someone’s privacy at best, and actually holding up workflow at worst. Modern drug and alcohol testing have come a long way from pioneering, time intensive methods with elaborate sample collection procedures. Today, aside from having the necessary materials on hand for sample collection during a testing period, implementing a drug testing policy causes little in the way of workflow disruption.
Workplace drug testing can occur in three ways. The first and most common is a urine sample. Most people are familiar with this as urine samples are usually collected at some point in a person’s life, usually for medical examination purposes. A urine sample only adds a few extra minutes to a person’s day at work, and does not have to be organized so that everyone must donate a sample in the same time frame.
Hair samples can also be collected and tested for drug use. This form of testing is more recent, but is rising in popularity. 50-70 strands of hair, at about 1.5” in length, are all that are needed in order to conduct this type of drug test. For people that are bald, or closely shave their head, any body hair is sufficient, it doesn’t need to come from the head. Hair follicle drug testing detects drugs going back about 90 days.
Oral fluid or saliva drug testing is becoming more popular. An oral fluid specimen is collected and sent to the laboratory for initial screening and if non-negative then confirmation testing. Many employers are collecting the oral fluid samples without the use of a traditional collection site. Oral fluid testing detects very recent drug use but not long-term use. Drugs will not be detected after about three days with oral fluid testing.
A written policy is the cornerstone of a drug free workplace program. Your drug free workplace policy at a minimum will include:
A written policy is the cornerstone of a drug free workplace program. Your drug free workplace policy at a minimum will include:
- Rationale (e.g., laws, regulations, organizational goals)
- Rationale (e.g., laws, regulations, organizational goals)
- Expectations for compliance (e.g., who, what, when, where)
- Options offered for assistance (e.g., an EAP, community resources)
- Consequences for violating the policy (e.g., discipline, referral for assistance, termination)
Additional Details
Employee Assistance Programs – Commonly known as EAP, employers do not have to spend a great deal of money to have an EAP program for employees. Many health insurance programs included EAP. For those employers not providing health insurance, National Drug Screening can provide an employee assistance as part of the company drug free workplace program. Employee assistance programs are programs, sponsored by the organization or a union, that help employees by identifying and addressing a broad spectrum of health, economic, and social issues, including substance abuse and mental health.
Drug & Alcohol Testing – Trust but verify, do you really know who in your organization might be using illegal drugs. Drug testing is one way to protect your workplace from the negative effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. A drug testing program can deter employees from coming to work unfit for duty. It can also discourage alcohol and other drug abusers from joining your organization in the first place.
Employee Education – What good is the drug free workplace policy if everyone in the company does not know about it? The policy is an integral component of preventing drug abuse in the workplace. Employees need to know the harmful effects of drugs and need to know that help is available and how to get that help.
Supervisor Training – Without appropriate Supervisor Training, your leadership team will not be adequately equipped to recognize signs and symptoms that an employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work. This can lead to unsafe working conditions. Employees that may be using drugs or alcohol at work must be removed and required to take a drug and/or alcohol test to document the prohibited behavior. Live training, webinar training and computer-based training all available from National Drug Screening.
Laboratory Testing Solutions
- Bundled pricing to your advantage – one bill for lab, MRO and collection
- Single source contact for setting up Lab and MRO accounts
- All tests will travel through one system only with real time updates on every stage of the process
- No paper on Non-DOT – electronic drug testing at collection sites around the United States: e-chain and paperless drug testing available
Employers needing drug testing programs and drug free workplace programs need look no further. Contact National Drug Screening for a free consultative session regarding implementing a drug free workplace program in your business. There is no obligation, learn the benefits of a drug free workplace program and the return on investment.
Contact National Drug Screening to learn more about our FREE DRUG FREE WORKPLACE KIT for implementing a drug free policy for your business.
Drug Free Workplace Act of 1998
his law effects all companies doing business with the Federal Government and all organizations receiving grants from the federal government.
The drug free Workplace Act of 1998 requires Federal grantees and recipients of Federal contracts of $100,000 or more to comply with the following:
- The drug free Workplace Act of 1998 requires Federal grantees and recipients of Federal contracts of $100,000 or more to comply with the following:
- The employer must have a written policy that explains what is prohibited and the consequences of violating the policy.
- Employees must read and consent to the policy as a condition of employment on the project.
- The employer must have an awareness program to educate employees about alcohol and other drugs of abuse and addiction, the employer’s policy, and available help, including counseling and other assistance.
- Employees must disclose any conviction for a drug-related offense in the workplace to the employer within 5 days after such conviction.
- Employers must disclose any conviction for a drug-related offense in the workplace to the Federal agency with which the employer has a grant or contract, within 10 days after receiving notice from the employee or others.
- Employers must make an ongoing effort to maintain a workplace free of drugs.
Drug Abuse in the United States – Is it a Problem?
Here are the latest statistics:
SAMHSA 2019 Report:
- 57.2 million Americans aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users
- 20.8 percent of the population aged 12 or older using drugs
- 48.2 million Americans aged 12 or older were current marijuana users
- 8.9 percent full time and 12.5 percent part time workers use drugs
- The number of past year heroin users increased between 2012 (669,000) and (745,000) in 2019
FMCSA Regulated CDL Drivers – 2020
- 56,150 violations; positive drug tests account for 82% of the total violations reported
- 29,511 marijuana positives
- 7,940 cocaine positives
- 5,187 methamphetamine positives
- 4,953 amphetamine positives
- Other drug positives, including ecstasy, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP)
American Companies reported that drug testing:
- Helps company’s bottom line
- Increased productivity
- Decreased turnover
- Less absenteeism
- Less accidents and workers comp claims
Can your Company Save Money with a Drug Testing Policy in Place?
Yes, many states provide employers a discount on workers compensation insurance for companies that implement a drug free workplace.
- Alabama – 5%
- Arkansas – 5%
- Florida – 5%
- Georgia – 7.5%
- Kentucky – 5%
- Mississippi – 5%
- Ohio – 4% to 7%
- South Carolina – 5%
- Tennessee – 5%
- Virginia – 5%
- Washington – 5%
- Wyoming – 5%
- Idaho
- New York
- Hawaii
If your state is not listed, ask your insurance agent to request for you a discount from the insurance carrier based on your commitment to safety with a drug free workplace.
These premium savings can be substantial and when added to injury reduction, a reduction in absenteeism, increased productivity and the potential for more business with other businesses and governments requiring drug free workplace, the drug free workplace program makes sense. National Drug Screening can help you calculate your return on investment (ROI) with a drug free workplace program.
Contact National Drug Screening and request a FREE REPORT on the workers’ compensation discount program in your State.
Drug Free Programs Can Assist with Denying Workers Comp Claims
Have you heard of the intoxication defense and your ability to possibly deny a workers’ comp claim? If you can deny a workers’ comp claim will this save you money?
In every State there are either statutes or court decisions that have denied benefits for injuries caused by a claimant’s intoxication at the time of the injury.
- 1) Proof of intoxication
- 2) Proof that the intoxication “caused” the injury
In some states one or both of these 2 steps may be “presumed” if a positive test was conducted per state rules or if the employee refused to test. This results in a statutory “intoxication” defense to a worker’s compensation claim, thus denial of the claim. BIG SAVINGS.
Contact National Drug Screening and request a FREE REPORT on the intoxication defense in your State.
Why Do Employers Want a Drug Testing Program?
If it’s not usually required, why do employers drug test? As we’ve discussed above, here are the most important reasons:
Workers’ compensation discounts. Many states offer employers a discount on their workers’ compensation insurance premiums if they take certain steps to maintain a drug-free workplace, which may include testing job applicants. Even if your state does not offer a workers’ compensation discount, National Drug Screening can still show you how to save money on workers’ compensation insurance.
Avoid legal liability. Employees under the influence of drugs can cause accidents and damage to property. If an intoxicated employee harms someone on the job, the employer could be legally liable for those injuries. Workplace drug and alcohol use may also violate OSHA and state occupational safety laws.
Maintain productivity and save money. Folks using drugs cost you money. National Drug Screening can show you the ROI on a drug-testing program. The Federal Government has stated that drug and alcohol use negatively affects American workplaces. Problems from drug and alcohol misuse and abuse cost over $80 billion in lost productivity each year. Employees who misuse drugs are three times more likely to be late showing up to work; they are more than three-and-a-half times more likely to be involved in a accident at work, and five times more likely to make a workers’ compensation claim.
SAFETY – it cannot be overemphasized; your workplace is a safer workplace with a drug free workplace.
National Drug Screening has affiliations with HSS SAMHSA certified laboratories for high quality lab-based testing, we work with many laboratories including: LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, Alere Toxicology, Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL) and Medtox. As an employer if you prefer a particular laboratory – we honor that request and utilize the lab of your preference.
Need more information about drug testing, give us a call for a no obligation free consultative discussion. Ask for Joe Reilly a national expert on drug testing programs. Joe Reilly will give you a free consultative session on drug testing and drug free workplace and how to get your business started as drug free.
Why Drug Test?
Why not? You’ll not only save money and avoid legal liability, but you’ll have more productive employees, reduce absenteeism and turnover, reduce employee theft and workplace violence, reduce accidents, reduce workers compensation costs and have peace of mind, all because you’ll have employees that are drug free.
