Last updated: September 25, 2023
USA Mobile Drug Testing executive says users are more likely to apply at small companies without drug testing policies.
Small businesses may be at increased risk when it comes to hiring employees who abuse alcohol and drugs, according to USA Mobile Drug Testing. Although the government encourages alcohol and drug-free workplaces, a large number of small businesses do not have the necessary policies or testing procedures in place to protect them against substance-abusing employees.
“The numbers are alarming. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nine of 10 small and medium-sized businesses employ heavy drinkers or drug users,” says Jeffrey Sardisco, COO of USA Mobile Drug Testing. “The SAMHSA study also found that 75 percent of illicit drug users were employed, primarily by small businesses.”
Sardisco says small and medium-sized businesses can avoid this by instituting drug testing programs and putting a drug-free workplace program in place. “Although business owners may think that starting a drug testing program is not possible because they fear the costs or lack the staff to manage it, in reality any business can put together an effective program,” he says. “In addition, a cost effective turnkey program for both DOT-regulated and non-DOT drug testing programs for small and medium-sized businesses is available from USA Mobile Drug Testing.”
U.S. Department of Labor studies show that workers who abuse drugs and alcohol are more likely to skip work or, when they are on the job, are one-third less productive, costing employers approximately $7,000 a year. Employees using drugs are also more likely to cause workplace accidents or file workers’ compensation claims. Sardisco notes that having a drug testing program is far cheaper than paying accident or workers’ compensation claims and that some states offer discounts on worker’s compensation premiums just for testing employees.
“Mobile drug testing is a great choice for a drug-free workplace program as it reduces the time and therefore the lost productivity created when employees go offsite for testing,” Sardisco says. “In addition, using our certified compliance specialists for testing creates a controlled environment for more accurate testing results.”
