Substance abuse disorder is a reality and the number of people affected is increasing as we speak. Problems stemming from substance abuse cost businesses billions of dollars a year. Such problems can lead to more accidents, lower work morale, and a much higher absenteeism rate. According to a 2022 study, where an average employee calls in sick for 13 days per year, a substance abuser misses 32 workdays a year!   

Because of statistics like these, more and more organizations are prioritizing the reduction of alcohol and illegal drug use in their workplaces. To tackle these challenges a great tool to help employers is pre-employment drug testing.

Index What is drug testing? What is pre-employment drug screening? Why do companies need to screen employees for drugs before hiring? What are the disadvantages of neglecting pre-employment drug testing? Conclusion FAQs

What is drug testing?  

A drug test uses a biological sample (such as blood or urine) to detect the presence or absence of a legal or illegal drug. Drug tests are ordered and performed in a variety of settings like healthcare clinics, labs, workplaces, etc, with a variety of techniques the most common being (UTI) Urine drug testing.  

Drugs include legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and illegal substances. Your body metabolizes various drugs at different rates, so the timeframe for detecting certain drugs in your system can vary widely from substance to substance. The most commonly tested drugs include amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opioids, and PCP.  

What is pre-employment drug screening? 

A pre-employment drug test is conducted to determine whether a potential hire or current employee has used any illegal drugs or prescription medicine. It is common for employers to require a job candidate to complete a pre-employment drug test, and a job offer may be contingent upon the applicant’s ability to pass. These drug tests typically screen for the use of methamphetamines, THC, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine.

There are three ways through which employers can conduct pre-employment drug tests: urine test, hair follicle test, & saliva test. 

• Urine Test:
  This test can determine whether someone uses drugs, even after they stop using them, and their residual effects decrease. This testing method can detect many types of substances, including alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and opiates. Employees are required to provide a urine sample in a lab, i.e. in the designated facility to be screened for the presence of drugs.
  
  
• Hair Follicle Test:
  Hair analysis is a more comprehensive method for finding drug use because it can detect substances used in the past 90 days. It's less invasive than other tests because you provide only a few hair strands, which a tester collects in a controlled environment, such as a lab. This type of testing might be more common in a public place, such as an office or school environment because the collection process is less invasive.
  
  
• Saliva Test:
  The saliva drug test is a common method in workplaces. It can detect drugs like marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, and opiates. The results are usually easy to read and available within minutes or hours of testing. The test involves using an oral swab inside the mouth and testing the contents of the swab.  
  
  

Why do companies need to screen employees for drugs before hiring?

Your potential employee seems to have checked all the boxes; his credentials are great, and he has impeccable communication skills. It seems too good to be true, doesn't it? A background check including a drug test will help you endorse what you see. To overcome post-employment problems, such as absenteeism, or low workplace morale it is quintessential for employers to conduct pre-employment drug tests.

In certain industries, the importance of pre-employment and routine drug screening for applicants and employees is obvious. In such positions, pre-employment drug testing policies are laid out explicitly. For example, transportation companies that hire truck drivers, taxi drivers, and bus drivers include drug screening as a regular part of their screening processes. The work of truck drivers necessitates driving for tedious hours, hence, drug addiction can be lethal and can also harm a company’s reputation.

Other industries, including construction, education, and healthcare, also should consider pre-employment drug screens because of potential safety issues that could otherwise occur. 

What are the disadvantages of neglecting pre-employment drug testing? 

Insurance, legal & health care costs are major drawbacks of neglecting drug testing before employment. Combine this with lowered productivity and absenteeism, and companies are out between $33 billion and $68 billion each year because of alcohol use disorders.

Employers need to ensure that all their employees are screened thoroughly for drugs before offering employment, not as a precautionary measure but as a stringent pre-employment policy. This could save them from: 

• Legal liability: 
  Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees, and if they neglect to do so, they can be held liable for any harm caused by drug use. For example, if an employee causes an accident while under the influence of drugs, the company can be sued for damages. 
  
  
• Damage to the company’s reputation: 
  The use of drugs by employees can damage a company’s reputation, especially if the company is in a highly regulated industry. For instance, if a pharmaceutical company is found to have employees who use drugs, it can be damaging to the company’s reputation and can result in a loss of trust among stakeholders. 
  
  
• Negative impact on company culture: 
  If drug use is tolerated, it can send the message that the company does not take drug abuse seriously. This can lead to a decrease in morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction among employees. Additionally, it may be difficult for sober employees to work alongside coworkers who are under the influence of drugs, leading to tension and conflict in the workplace.
  
  
• Decreased productivity: 
  When employees use drugs, they are more likely to be absent or late for work, have poor job performance, and engage in risky behaviour. An employee who is under the influence of drugs may make poor decisions or mistakes, leading to errors in work output that can cost the company time and money to correct. This can lead to decreased productivity and overall poor company performance. 
  
  

Conclusion

Pre-employment drug tests are important for protecting the safety of your workplace and your employees. When you include drug screens as a part of your pre-employment background check process, you can find candidates that are well-suited for your workplace.

To maintain a safe and drug-free workplace partner with CheckXperts, one of the most trusted background check companies in Pakistan. With their comprehensive drug screening options, in-depth testing by PNH (Partner Network Hospital), and risk-based drug test approach you are just one step away from getting the most accurate results for drug screening your employees. 

FAQs

1. Does every company run a drug test before hiring?  
   The necessity of a drug test may vary from industry to industry. For some industries, like healthcare and transport, drug screening should be made compulsory. You can partner with CheckXperts for your customized background check needs. 
   
   
2. What if an employee refuses to be tested for drugs?  
   If an employee refuses to sign a drug testing policy, employers can withdraw their conditional offer, firstly by just giving a warning and later by taking other action including termination. 
   
   
3. Do companies inform legal authorities if someone fails a drug test? 
   No, the results of a drug screening test are protected health information, and turning those reports over to the police without the written consent of the individual would probably be a violation of federal law. To maintain a safe and drug-free workplace partner with CheckXperts one of the most trusted background check companies in Pakistan which will ensure compliance with all laws.