Last updated : December 16, 2024
Despite medical and recreational legalization, the Department of Transportation (DOT) hasn’t removed marijuana from its drug testing panels. In a published online statement it takes a firm stance on the matter. Even though marijuana has been legalized in certain states, it has no bearing on whether or not someone gets removed from service if they test positive for pot.
No doubt, even if all drugs are eventually legalized—or decriminalized—we’re betting they will continue to stand strong. There is no anticipation of a change in their drug testing protocol that would remove any drugs from the DOT drug test.
They currently test for marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, opioids, and PCP.
Good thing, too, because—although there is no way to prove that drugs were involved here—if delivery drivers become prone to driving on sidewalks or are involved in other outlandish behavior while out on the road, we could be in a world of trouble.
Drug use affects the way the brain works. That means people who use drugs aren’t at the top of their game. If someone can’t think clearly or whose motor skills are affected, they could cause an accident. This is true whether they drive for a living or work as a janitor for a huge corporation.
What about the general workforce?
Employers of the general workforce who drug test employees can stand firm on this matter too.
That’s because the main reason employers drug test is for safety’s sake. It’s a proven fact that workplace accidents decrease once employee drug testing is enforced. Moreover, when drug users know they have to “pass” a test, they’re less likely to apply for the available position in the first place.
It’s also no secret that drug users aren’t the most reliable lot. So, turnover rates and absenteeism decline when a drug-free program goes into effect too.
That can positively affect workplace safety too. If employees are constantly training new hires or picking up the slack for someone who has called in absent, it increases the risk of an accident. There are numerous reasons that turnover and absenteeism can increase accident risk. For instance, stress levels might increase due to multi-tasking or the added responsibility of training a new coworker. And then, there is the exhaustion factor…
When someone is under the influence of drugs, it puts everyone working near them at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Employers have a responsibility to make the workplace as safe as possible for everyone in their employ. Employee drug testing is one way to take charge.
Is your company drug-free?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) promotes drug-free workplace programs. The site provides employers with information, forms, and other resources to help get drug-free programs established.
It’s important to be aware of any drug testing laws in your state that might put your company in danger of being held liable in a lawsuit should someone feel their rights have been violated in some way. Moreover, some states don’t allow the mouth swab test as admissible evidence of a positive drug test.
Working with an outside source could make writing policies and procedures much less taxing. Moreover, if you’re working with a drug testing company, like ours, for instance, you could hand the entire employee drug testing process over to them.
Training your management staff on the signs and symptoms of drug use allows them to make the call should an employee be suspected of being high on the job. Employees could attend such classes too and it’s a good idea to stress that they have the liberty to report such behaviors to management. Sometimes people keep quiet for fear of meeting with some form of repurcussion.
All policies and procedures should be written—and management training completed, for that matter—before employee drug testing begins. Employees must be given advance written notice instead of showing up at work one day and told to report for a test.
Hopefully, they’ll come to their senses
Legalizing or decriminalizing drug use may look good on paper. However, Oregon gave it a go back in 2020 to much fanfare. Advocates were raving! Just recently though, the state admitted defeat citing different reasons.
The fact that there wasn’t any treatment infrastructure in place before legalization took effect was a partial cause. Oregon residents had grown increasingly uncomfortable with blatant drug use, the measure of safety they experienced, and, of course, a continued rise in deaths caused by drug overdose.
Perhaps Oregon’s experience will cause those who advocate for all drugs to be legalized to take pause and reflect. In the meantime, those who oppose taking this measure should make their voices heard loud and clear.
They say, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” We can’t let the opinions of some steer our nation into unsafe territory no matter how politically correct it seems. Striving for a drug-free life should continue to be the stance our nation takes moving forward.
Nobody wakes up one day and decides to become a drug addict. But if they’re legal and touted as “the best way to have a good time—” Frankly, more people than we care to think about will wake up one morning to find themselves one.
