Drugtesting

Drug testing is a very controversial topic. There are many sides to it, and even more opinions. Some people think that it is a necessary step in the hiring process, while some believe it is an infringement on their rights of privacy. In order to make up your own opinion about it, you must first know all the facts.

Drug testing has become standard practice for large corporations, over 80% of Fortune 500 corporations now test for illicit drug use before hiring an employee. This however, is not the case for smaller companies. A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration states that current drug users would more likely apply to a company that do not conduct random or pre-employment drug testing. With that being said, the same report also states that about one in twelve full time workers, between the age of 18-64 have used illegal drugs in the past month.

These drug users have a direct impact on the companies for which they work. Substance abusers are 33% less productive and cost their employers $7,000 annually. Drug users are absent from work an average of five days per month due to substance abuse. They also are four times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to file a worker's compensation claim. Plus, it doesn't just affect the company, it can effect the other employees also since substance abuse is the third leading cause of workplace violence.

And, although most drug tests can cost a company anywhere between $25.00 and $100.00 depending on the depth and level of the test, if a company chooses not to spend that money on a drug test, they could spend a lot more money over time. 95% of all companies are victims of theft, yet 10% ever discover it. Furthermore, 30% of all business failures are caused by employee theft. Plus, keeping in mind that 80% of all drug users steal from their company to support their habit. A drug user can be a detrimental member of a company.

Although drug use does go on in every industry, the groups with the highest prevalence of illicit drug use include accommodations and food services and construction, while the lowest prevalence of drug use occurs in the utilities, educational services and public administration industries.

With all these statistics about the perils of hiring a person without a drug test, it doesn't make sense for a company to not do drug tests. However, some people believe that a drug test is an violation on their right to privacy. However, drug tests are completely legal. They were first instituted in 1981 by the United States Navy after a plane crashed on the deck of a Navy ship and after doing drug tests on all those involved, the results revealed many of the people having been under the influence. This crash could have been prevented had those people not been on drugs at the time.

Drug testing, although controversial, can protect not only a company's assets, but their employees. It's important to make sure to hire quality and honest people so that your company can thrive and become even more successful. A drug test is definitely a key part of the hiring process and should be implemented for every company.