Why do we need to go through Pre-Employment Drug Testing?

Today, Large companies and major establishments normally implement Pre employment drug testing. This is a precaution to keep the work place and enviro...


Today, Large companies and major establishments normally implement Pre employment drug testing. This is a precaution to keep the work place and environment secure and drug-free.

Preventing someone who regularly use illegal substances to join the company will save a lot of money and time because issues relating to undesirable events that occur when an employee is under the influence of prohibited drugs will be avoided. Aside from that, its reputation and company image is at stake if they hire people who are constant users of such illegal substances.

For these reasons, pre employment drug testing is imperative nowadays among most job applicants in order to prevent unwanted events and problems; and to avoid possible injuries and damages. This involves retrieval of specimens or samples like blood or urine; hence, subjects are generally required to visit specific clinics that cater to drug testing where laboratory tests on samples are performed.

In most cases, pre employment drug testing usually consists of the standard 5-panel test that determines the presence of cocaine, PCP, marijuana, amphetamines like methamphetamine, and opiates like morphine and codeine. In other cases, several companies prefer to have more comprehensive drug tests that include several physician-prescribed drugs to determine and verify present medications. But most of the time, companies only require the standard test procedures because the comprehensive drug testing is very expensive.

Applicants are automatically rejected if the pre employment drug testing results come out positive. This results should be done prior to giving a job offer, so that it can easily be verified if the test results are 100% positive because there are factors that can cause false positive results. Recent food intake must be taken into consideration by the medical officer, and do not forget to consult the concerned person about the results. To confirm the initial positive result, another thorough test may be necessary.

Nonetheless, pre employment drug testing has become very beneficial in terms of security and health safety in the work place, it can also maintain a company’s reputation and good image to its clients and business partners.

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