Drug testing usually involves collecting urine samples to test for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opiates.
Studies show that when compared with non-substance users, substance-using employees are more likely to:
- Change jobs frequently
- Be late to or absent from work
- Be less productive
- Be involved in a workplace accident and potentially harm others
- File a workers’ compensation claim.
What Employers Need to Know
- Employers with successful drug-free workplace programs report improvements in morale and productivity, and decreases in absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover, and theft.
- Employers with long-standing programs report better health status among employees and family members and decreased use of medical benefits by these same groups.
- Some organizations with drug-free workplace programs qualify for incentives, such as decreased costs for workers’ compensation and other kinds of insurance.
If you are an employer and would like more information about drug testing in the workplace, CONTACT US at 925-275-9350 for San Ramon, CA or 510-742-9143 for Fremont, CA.
1. Instant Drug Testing (Non-DOT results in 7 minutes) 5 panel
A non-DOT drug screen is any drug test that follows state laws rather than federal testing guidelines. With non-DOT testing, an employer can test for only one substance or as many as he feels is necessary.
THC-COC-OPI-AMP-PCP – One Step Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiate, Amphetamine, and PCPDrug Test
Source:
Legal Beagle: What Is a Non DOT Drug Test?
2. 10 Panel Drug Test
Urine Drug Test (10‐Panel) will determine the presence or absence of 10 types of drugs or their metabolites in your urine.
Two main reasons why you might need a drug test
- Your employer has a drug testing policy
- You’re being considered for a job and a pre‐employment drug test is needed
The 10‐Panel Drug Test checks for the presence of 10 drug metabolites including:
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine
- Methadone
- Propoxyphene
A non-DOT drug screen can be expanded into a 10-panel drug screen by testing for the five drugs (THC-COC-OPI-AMP-PCP)and adding barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone and propoxyphene.
3. Random Drug and Alcohol Testing (on site and volume testing available)
Random drug testing is the best tool employers have for deterring drug and alcohol use in the workplace:
- Saves lives and prevents injuries.
- Helps employers identify workers with substance abuse issues and facilitate their treatment
- Allows employees to easily say no to illegal drug use. “No, thanks. They drug test at work.”
- Reduces employer liability
- It is a fair way of testing
Random testing is required for safety-sensitive employees
On-site drug testing or drug testing in the workplace – instead of sending the applicant to our facility, we send our staff to your site to perform the test. The process is the same.
The advantages of this type of testing are:
For the employer,
- Employee does not have to leave company job-site
- Job applicants and employees can go to work immediately
For the employee,
- Confidence among employees for the safety of the workplace
- Increased morale
- Productivity increases
Source:
U.S. Department of Transportation: Best Practices for DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Testing
MAF Background Screening: Types of Employment Drug Testing
4. Hair Testing
A hair follicle test is an examination that uses a small sample of hair to identify specific drugs used by the person being tested. A hair follicle drug test measures the drug molecules and their specific metabolites that are produced only after the drug has been processed by the human body.
After the drug is processed, trace amounts of its metabolites are inserted into hair follicle by the bloodstream. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible and the most recent 3.9cm (or 1.5 inches) are tested.
Five drug classes are mandated for testing by the Federal Government:
- Cocaine (Cocaine & Benzoylecgonine)
- Marijuana
- Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-Monacteyl Morphine)
- Methamphetamine (Methamphetamine/Amphetamine & Ecstasy)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
Source:
I Passed My Drug Test: Hair Follicle Drug Testing FAQ
5. Steroid Testing
Steroid abuse has increasingly found its way into amateur sports including the high school level not just the professional athletes. Using steroids without a prescription can cause serious, adverse health effects. This and other performance-enhancing drugs can give athletes an unfair advantage over their competition, and is cheating.
Steroid testing can help deter its use among high school students. Urine samples are the most common form of steroid testing to detect different anabolic agents and their metabolites commonly abused by bodybuilders, distance runners and other athletes. Hair follicle test may also be used.
East Bay Occupational Testing provides in-office testing and instruction on at-home collection of drug / steroid testing as a service. To learn more, CONTACT US at 925-275-9350 for San Ramon, CA or 510-742-9143 for Fremont, CA.
Source:
Craig Medical: Steroid Use FAQs
Quest Diagnostics: Drug Testing for Steroids
