Workplace Drug Screening Option Paper

"The prominence of drug testing in the workplace is expanding throughout the country as more and more companies employ drug tests to take this critical step to ensure the safety and sanctity of the workplace" (Butler, 2005-2008). The practice of administering various drug or alcohol tests continues to serve as a beneficial way for companies to: identify the employee(s) who are in need of professional assistance, cut the overall percentage of accidents and injuries on the job, lower the amount of sick leave taken, improve employee attendance, reduce employee turnover rates, cut the number of incidents involving theft of company assets and security violations, and help to increase organizational productivity. Over time, these obligatory tests have adopted the reputation of revolving more around risk management factors in relation to company safety and security rather than the well-being and individual rights of the employees.

The array of diverse drug tests available offers employers multiple options to assess the stability of an employee.

Master Sgt. Urbano Sosa demonstrates the job of an...

Hashish Presumptive Drug Test

Pre–employment drug testing

The most common drug examination preformed is the urine drug screen. "Statistics show that about 5% of the urine samples tested in the U.S. turns out positive for drugs" (Wong, 2002). Many issues exist in relation to urine drug screening. First, in the case that an employee is tested and a positive result is returned; it could be due in part to a specific medication the employee has been prescribed and failed to inform the employer. Another common issue in relation to urine screenings is the ability to and actuality of individuals who cheat within this testing process. Sample substitution is a common practice carried out as a means of avoiding a positive test result. A final dilemma in reference to this manner of screening is in instances of dilution. Employees, prior to actual testing, can consume a...