Last updated: April 22, 2024
Random drug testing is powerful tool Minneapolis employers can use to ensure a drug free workplace.
What is random drug testing?
Employees are randomly selected to be tested for the drug or alcohol use. The employees to be tested, the time, and date of the test are all kept a secret until just prior to testing. This prevents employees from leaving work to avoid it or preparing ahead of time to alter the results.
All employees and volunteers are subject to random selection, no matter what their title or position within the company is. All safety-sensitive personnel, including drivers, equipment operators, pilots, etc., should be included in this selection pool.
How is random drug testing conducted in Minneapolis?
Once an employee is selected, they will be notified and then must proceed immediately to the collection site. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, any time spent taking a required drug test is considered working hours, so employees must be paid for that time. With USAMDT, the collection site can be set up at your location or any location throughout Minneapolis, so there is very little downtime (usually 15 minutes or less) and employees don’t have the opportunity to cheat the test.
We generate your selection pool with special software to prevent tampering or “favors” that might allow certain employees to avoid being tested.
We can collect urine, saliva, or hair samples, so we can conduct random drug testing anywhere, even if privacy is not available.
What will show up in a drug test?
There are several different types of drug tests, including 5 panel, 10 panel, and non-standard drug tests, enabling employers to test for:
- Amphetamines (meth, speed, crank, ecstasy)
- THC (cannabinoids, marijuana, hash)
- Cocaine (coke, crack)
- Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)
- Barbiturates (phenobarbital, butalbital, secobarbital, downers)
- Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers like Valium, Librium, Xanax)
- Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
- Methadone (often used to treat heroin addiction)
- Propoxyphene (Darvon compounds)
- Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms, mescaline, peyote)
- Anabolic steroids (synthesized, muscle-building hormones)
- Hydrocodone (prescription medication known as Lortab, Vicodin, Oxycodone)
- MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy)
Who can see the results of a random drug Test?
This is where it gets sticky. A release form must be signed prior to drug testing because drug test results are considered private health information and there are restrictions on whether and how the information can be shared with others. More information about these restrictions can be found on the HIPAA Web site or by contacting your USAMDT representative.