• Skip to main content

USA Mobile Drug Testing

  • Services
    • Drug Testing
    • Background Screening
    • Training and Support
    • Consumer Services
  • Customer Login
  • Blog
  • Drug Testing Locations
  • Contact

Benefits of Drug Testing in the Workplace

Home / Drug Testing / Benefits of Drug Testing in the Workplace

October 29, 2014 by David Bell

Last updated: January 30, 2023

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 66 percent of people with substance abuse issues, over the age of 18, are employed.

While drug testing should be seen as a means to minimize workplace risks, many businesses do not conduct any type of screening. One of the reasons the screenings do not occur are costs.

However, the costs of not screening employees for drugs can far outweigh any of the financial costs of drug screening. Here are some of the benefits of employee drug testing.

Fewer Workplace Accidents

Employees who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to be involved in workplace accidents and fatalities. This especially holds true if the employee is responsible for operating heavy machinery or vehicles. Businesses that do not drug test experience high rates of worker’s compensation claims than those that do not. The testing may not stop employees from using drugs. However, by implementing drug testing, you are able to decrease the chances of employees showing up to work while under the influence.

Reduced Insurance Costs

Substances abusers are more likely to incur medical costs than a person who does not abuse drugs. Employees that come into work under the influence of drugs and alcohol may cause accidents that will increase the costs associated with insurance. Drug testing lowers accident rates, thereby decreasing the cost of liability insurance. Depending on the nature of the business, some insurers will not provide coverage for claims when it cannot be proven that the workplace is drug free.

Reduced Absenteeism

There is a good chance that employees with drug issues are more likely to take more days off from work. According to a Working Partners, National Conference Report, substance abusers are likely to be absent for more than 8 days during the year. Not only does this mean that the company will spend money paying for sick days, it also means losing money due to decreased productivity. Companies that have implemented drug testing saw absenteeism decrease by 50%.

Increased Productivity

There is a correlation between workers that abuse drugs and productivity. Employees that show up to work under the influence are not going to work at full capacity. As a matter of fact, their productivity level is 33 percent lower than other employees. These employees, if the show up, are also more likely to come to work late. Businesses spend thousands of dollars compensating employees that underperform. Testing for substances will help businesses see around a 20 percent increase in productivity.

Improved Morale

There is a good chance that employees know who is a drug user and who is not. Some employees may not feel comfortable working with someone with substance abuse issues. There may also be morale issues when productive employees have to pick up the workload for those who are not carrying their weight.

On its surface, drug testing may seem like another expenditure. The monetary costs of not drug testing employees exceed the costs of testing. When employees know they may be tested, the cost of their substance abuse on the company decreases. Not only do costs decrease, businesses may find themselves hiring better quality employees as a result of their drug testing policies.

Filed Under: Drug Testing

Ready to learn more or schedule a drug test?

Service area:

USA
Canada

Find a drug testing location

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

About David Bell

After seeing the damage caused by drug use first-hand, David sold his previous company and worked his way up through the ranks in the drug testing industry to help employers keep drugs and alcohol out of the workplace.

© USA Mobile Drug Testing

800-851-2021

11016 N Dale Mabry Hwy #204
Tampa, FL 33618


  • Headquarters Website
  • Franchise Information
  • Become an Affiiliate

Drug Testing Methods

  • Urine Drug Test
  • Mouth Swab Drug Test
  • Hair Drug Test
  • Blood Drug Test

Drug Testing Panels

  • 5 Panel Drug Test
  • 9 Panel Drug Test
  • 10 Panel Drug Test
  • 12 Panel Drug Test

Drug Testing Conditions

  • Pre-Employment Drug Testing
  • Random Drug Testing
  • DOT Drug Testing
  • Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing
  • Post-Accident Drug Testing
  • Probation Drug Testing

Web design by Spartan Media

Do you need a drug test conducted at a certain date and time? Call us at and we will dispatch a mobile collection specialist to administer your drug tests at any location, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

x

Are you looking for more information about drug testing, a drug free workplace program, or compliance? Call us at and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have and tailor a program to your specific needs.

x