Everything You Need to Know about Pre-employment Drug Tests

 In current times, drug abuse and addiction have become a severe issue in several countries. Not only does it negatively impact society, but it also severely affects businesses. Thankfully, with the advance in technology, companies can now use several preventive measures to ensure a safe and drug-free environment in the workplace. One such effective preventive measure is the pre-employment drug test. 

Pre-employment drug tests have emerged as a safe, quick, and affordable preventive measure in recent years. According to a report, businesses lose $740 billion per year due to increased health insurance claims, absenteeism, low productivity, and increased medical costs. Therefore, it increases the importance of preventing drug abuse in the workplace.

 

What is a Pre-employment Drug Test?

A pre-employment drug test is usually conducted to check if the job applicants or new hires use any illicit drugs or substances. Most companies often use these tests for employees who return to work after a long period due to injury or other personal reasons. In such cases, it is generally referred to as a pre-placement drug test. 

Employers usually ask the job applicants to go through a pre-placement drug test to proceed further with the job application process. The main goal of a pre-placement drug test is to identify the person who is using the illegal drugs and prevent them from joining the workplace. 

This is important because employing a drug addict in the organization can lead to several problems for the employers, and it can also be dangerous for the other employees and staff.

Why Do Employers Need Pre-employment Drug Testing?

·         Workplace safety is the utmost priority of all businesses in the world. Health and safety concerns in the workplace can negatively impact the business reputation among clients and customers. Fortunately, conducting pre-employment drug tests helps to prevent the health and safety concerns caused by drug misuse. Employers buy drug test kits in bulk as it helps them to identify the traces of illicit drugs in the samples quickly and efficiently.

·         By mentioning on the job advertisement that the chances of employment will be dependent on the drug test results, an employer can succeed in driving away all the drug abusers from applying for jobs. Moreover, it will eventually attract hard-working, healthy, and disciplined employees for the job application.

·         Jobs that include safety-sensitive environments must conduct pre-employment drug testing as it helps prevent severe injuries and accidents. Plus, companies can also reduce the number of health compensation claims due to drug abuse

·         The legality of pre-employment drug testing can also vary as per the state laws. Employers can also take legal consultation if they have doubts about their testing program's adherence to the state laws.

·         Moreover, employers need to make sure that the job applicant is aware that pre-employment drug testing is part of the job application process. It's better to mention it on the job application so that there is no room for confusion.

Some Alarming Facts about Drug Abuse 

A report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reveals that:

 

• Misuse of drugs in the workplace cause a fivefold increase in injury claims.

• Almost 50 percent of compensation claims of the workers are related to substance abuse.

• Substance abuse increases the chances of absenteeism and injuries in the workplace by 2.5 times.

• Substance abuse can significantly lower productivity by 33 percent.

 

Due to all these reasons, most employers are now buying bulk drug test kits to reduce the adverse outcomes of drug abuse in their business and it has been proven successful!

 

Final Thoughts

 

Whether your company is a startup or has a global presence in the market, it's always best to choose the pre-placement drug testing programs. You can partner with the leading supplier of drug testing devices and buy drug test kits in bulk to meet your drug testing requirements. A National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance report suggests that over 74% of illegal drug users are employed in full-time jobs.

 

These employees who use drugs contribute to about 40% of all workplace fatalities in the United States. This, among other factors, shows the value of pre-employment drug testing in today's world.