1. Drug Testing
Is it in you?

2. History The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988
Required contractors and government agencies provide a drug free workplace before they could receive federal contracts.
Drug testing up 288% since 1988
Last year 50 million drug tests were given to employees

3. Public Vs. Private Public Private
Only test if they have reasonable suspicion of work related drug use.
Exceptions for public safety, national security or other highly regulated industries.
Private
14 states have regulated aspects of drug tests
State legislatures try to ensure accurate and responsible testing as well as confidentiality.

4. Reasons to test Saves the company money on insurance costs
Drug users waste more sick time, and are away from work more often
Low costs relative to benefits
The big one; LOST PRODUCTIVITY
Higher risk of accidents to other workers, themselves and customers
The costs of litigation that arises from drug related incidents

5. What Should a Drug Testing Policy Include?
The drugs you are testing for
Who will be tested and under what conditions
The consequences of testing positive or refusing to take the test
Who pays for the drug test
Drug testing procedures

6. When to Drug Test? Pre-Employment Tests Pre-Promotion Tests
Annual Physical Tests
Reasonable Suspicion and For Cause Tests
Random Tests
Post Accident Tests
Treatment Follow-up Tests

7. Types of Drug Testing Methods
Urine Test-most common test
Blood Test-most expensive, used in extreme or unique cases
Alternative Specimen Test-very expensive, but very accurate
Breath Alcohol Test

8. Cheating the Drug Test Urine Additives
Toxin Removal from blood and urine
Drink a lot of cranberry juice/water
Detoxifying Shampoo
Saliva Cleansing Solution

9. Pros; the numbers 65% of all accidents on the job are drug related
In % of all workers tested had positive results. In 1997 it was only 5.4%
Average employer loses $7,000 a year for every employee that abuses drugs/alcohol
Drug use cost employers $75-$100 Billion
A drug user is 4 times more likely to be involved in a work related accident, terminated for cause.
Texaco estimates a $2.5 million dollar savings, over 4 years, on insurance at their New Orleans plant alone.

10. Cons Instills a lack of trust in some employees
Show use not necessarily abuse
Kaiser Permanente found there was no significant difference in health care costs between employees who tested positive and those who tested negative.
Programs may not yield benefits that justify the costs.
Challenges from the ACLU
Added Expense for the Company
Costs of Individual Test:
Urine = $44
Alternative (Hair)= $115-$150

11. Questions?

12. References www.health.org www.testclear.com www.aclu.org