remains unchanged. Configuring a panel specific to the reason for testing enables employers to test for a wide variety of drugs based on the need and situation. Ensuring that your panel is relevant for the situation provides an effective solution while maintaining legally defensible processes. Regardless of the circumstances for
testing, employers must choose reliable, highly sensitive, and effective testing solutions. While some states dictate cut-off levels for various testing methodologies, others allow the employer to determine the best product for their workplace situation. Te combination of well-designed test panels, effective cut-off levels, and varied testing matrices, in conjunction with fast, accurate test results, provides forward-
thinking employers with protection against the costs of workplace drug use.
Substance Abuse in Safety-Sensitive Industries
While no industry is exempt from the impacts of drug use and abuse, accidents in a safety-sensitive industry can be much more impactful. In an industry where a minor accident on the job can result in a fatality, safety and a drug-free workplace is paramount. U.S. companies lose over $100 billion per
year due to drug- and alcohol-related abuse, and experts expect this number only to continue rising.5
Across all industries, there
are many “hidden” costs that are difficult to quantify but are accepted factors resulting from substance abuse in the workplace.
4 5
Whether operating in a traditional
safety-sensitive market or not, establish the flexibility to update your company drug testing policy to maintain program effectiveness. Stay abreast of current drugs- of-abuse trends, current panel-design options, and drug cutoff selection to ensure your program remains effective. Tis is the first step toward a drug-free workplace. ❚
References 1
The 2018 Employer Survey, The Current Consulting Group, LLC.
2 3
Centeronaddiction.org.
“K2 Overdoses Spiked For a Second Time This Year.” Street Sense Media, 3 October 2018. https://www.
streetsensemedia.org/article/k2-overdoses-spiked-for-a- second-time-in-september/#.W7ZtrhNKjOQ.
SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
“Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace.” Addiction Update, April 2015.
www.datia.org
datia focus
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