In our experience, and those of our clients, the only effective method of managing workplace substance abuse is through the implementation of random drug testing via observed specimen collection, in concert with educational and assistance programs.
"Empirical analysis notes that drug testing, inclusive of random testing, reduces reportable workers compensation accidents by an average of 51% over a two year period." (2000, Gerber, National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), An Evaluation of Drug Testing in the workplace)
"Drug testing is a deterrent to worker drug abuse. We estimate that respondents subject to workplace drug testing are 70% more likely to have used drugs within the past 30 days vs. employers that do not test." (2007, Carpenter, Health Services Research, Workplace drug testing and worker drug use)
"Most of the drug testing in the United States is conducted pre-employment. Random testing is critical, if you want to address the drug problem". (2006, Polliafico, 26th Annual Construction Risk Conference, International Risk Management Institute - IR MI)
" When we gave up observed specimen collection, we gave up our best tool to fight drug abuse. Unobserved urine collection is little more than an intelligence test. The solution to drug abuse is random testing via alternative (oral fluid, etc.) testing methods." (2007, Dupont, R., Former White House National Drug Policy Director, DATIA Conference, Washington, D.C.
|
