Last updated : November 11, 2024
More than 30 million employees across America use illegal drugs on a regular basis. The cost to employers is great, and some cities are tackling the problem by increasing workplace drug testing. Cleveland, Ohio is among them.
Safety Issues Associated with Employee Drug Use
Whether they do it at home or on the job, employees who use drugs increase the risk of workplace accidents and put themselves and everyone around them in danger. The U. S. Department of Labor reports that as many as 20 percent of American workers who die at work test positive for drugs or alcohol. When recreational drugs are in the bloodstream, they reduce the user’s ability to concentrate, make sound decisions and react quickly to potential hazards. They also impair memory, hearing, sight, motor skills and alertness. Substance abuse is particularly dangerous for people who operate heavy machinery, work with dangerous chemicals or drive vehicles. Employers of workers who use drugs are more likely to be involved in lawsuits and may have to pay higher insurance costs. As more companies are recognizing their liability, they’re developing comprehensive drug testing programs to combat the problem.
Cleveland’s Challenge
Cleveland’s recent battle with soaring heroin abuse has resulted in record-breaking numbers of heroin-related deaths, many of which occurred in suburban areas. According to Karen Kitchen and her husband, owners of USA Mobile Drug Testing of Cleveland, Northeast Ohio’s opiate epidemic has greatly impacted their business. They report that the problem is particularly pervasive in the Cleveland area and has prompted more employers to request a comprehensive drug panel that screens for prescription opiates, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs. Besides conducting drug tests, Kitchen and her husband help train Cleveland employers to detect signs of employee drug abuse, and initiate compliance discussions with suspected users.
Does Drug Testing Really Improve Safety?
Companies that implement drug testing programs usually see a 51 percent decrease in workplace injuries within only two years. Many drug testing companies will perform tests on-site, so there’s no need for employees to miss work. If tests are administered on a random basis, they encourage consistent sobriety. Today’s highly trained drug test technicians are able to detect altered samples, so results are accurate and reliable.
How Does Drug Testing Work?
Urine, blood, hair, saliva, sweat and even breath can be used to detect drugs and alcohol. Typical drug tests screen for opiates, cocaine, methamphetamines, phencyclidine, amphetamines, marijuana and alcohol. Tests have recently been developed to detect other substances such as synthetic marijuana products like Spice and K2. In the big picture, testing isn’t just about reducing employer liability and increasing workplace safety. If a drug test is positive, it gives the employer an opportunity to help rehabilitate a valuable employee before matters get worse.
Compliance: The Key to a Safer, More Productive Workplace
Drug tests boost morale, reduce turnover, increase profits and preserve a company’s reputation and integrity. As we learn more about the effectiveness of workplace drug testing programs, it’s likely that more major cities across the nation will follow Cleveland’s lead.
