Last updated : November 25, 2024
According to experts at a recent Atlanta Summit on Exploding Heroine Abuse and Overdose Deaths in Georgia, heroin abuse is poised to become the Peach State’s most critical public health issue. Opioid abuse is no longer limited to the mean streets, but has rapidly spread into the suburbs, where many of Atlanta’s employees make their homes.
The risks of having someone abusing drugs of any kind at work have been well-documented. A decrease in productivity, frequent absenteeism, increased risk of accidents, higher healthcare and worker compensation claims, increased legal costs and more theft all result when substance abuse is overlooked or ignored.
Creating a drug free workplace takes a testing program. Companies see as much as a 50 percent reduction in workplace accidents within two years. Given statistics cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Atlanta employers would be wise to protect their businesses and their employees.
Now that you know you need a program, who do you trust to help?
This is one area where Do-It-Yourself simply won’t do. Drug testing is a complex process, regulated by constantly-evolving federal, state, and local laws. Testing processes are continually being improved and refined. Attempting to conduct your program in house would require a major investment, including the costs of hiring a compliance expert (or contracting with a local attorney), training employees to set up and run the program, and purchasing the equipment you would need to do the testing. Even if you managed to do all that, you would run a number of legal risks that could cost you still more. The only truly efficient and safe way to run a drug-testing program is through a qualified vendor.
Once you know selecting a vendor is the best course of action, what do you look for in a provider?
Traditionally, employers have sent workers to off-site drug-testing facilities. This is one of those times that the old way isn’t the best way. Why?
- Off-site vendors tend to limit their services to providing testing and results.
- Appointments must be scheduled ahead of time, giving drug abusers time to “cheat” the test.
- Between travel, filling out forms, and wait time, off-site testing often takes several hours, unproductive hours you pay for but are unable to supervise.
If off-site labs aren’t the answer, is there another choice?
Mobile drug testing stresses end-to-end client service. That means you get the most value for your dollar and know every step of the testing process, from assessing your needs to building the program to testing and follow-up.
Consider this off-site testing scenario.
You tell Hank he’s scheduled for an off-site drug test. Since it’s not his first time, he’s prepared to spend several hours out of the office. Who’s to know if he adds an hour away from the desk to have those new tires put on the car? He’s not at work, not contributing to overall productivity, but you’re paying him anyway.
What if Hank is hit by a car as he crosses the street to the lab? He’s on your time, your dime. In other words, you can expect Hank to file a workman’s compensation claim…or worse.
Mobile drug-testing labs come right to your door, saving you both time and money, because employees are safely on site and downtime is all but eliminated. Unannounced, random testing is a snap, giving employees zero chance to fool the test.
Other benefits of mobile testing include the fact that the program designed will be specifically suited to your business, size and kind. You won’t have missed or delayed tests. If you run a night shift, mobile testing can handle that, too, because it’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll be able to relax because you know your mobile providers will not only be certified technicians familiar with federal and state laws, but have become the favored providers for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies around the globe.
Atlanta employers who want to establish and maintain a drug-free workplace are looking for a win-win. By choosing mobile drug testing services, businesses save money with a drug free workplace and save money on making that happen.
