The cost of employees that use drugs exceeds $102 Billion annually. This cost is the result of lost productivity, absenteeism, health problems, job-related accidents, employee theft and employee turnover all related to drug use.

The construction, wholesale trade, and retail marketing workforce is primarily dominated by 20 to 34 year-olds. Dept. of Labor statistics show that of this age group 20.2% used illegal drugs in the past year, and 9.5% used illegal drugs in the last month. This includes a significant amount of Cocaine and Marijuana use.

Employees that use drugs are 5X more likely to be involved in a workplace accident.

Employees that use drugs are absent from work on average 40 days a year, employees that do not use drugs, on average, miss 4.5 days per year.

Other reasons are:

• To help select quality employees
• To help prevent workplace injuries
• To help prevent theft from your company and employees
• To help ensure maximum productivity from your employees
• To help prevent drug-related employee absences

Types of Drug Testing

URINALYSIS

DETECTION PERIOD: Urinalysis can generally detect drug use for the previous 2-7 days for most drugs.

EVASION: If all standard collection procedures are followed evasion is difficult. At PSI we test for adulterants that could cover up drug use. In addition to testing for adulterants we also test for specimen substitution and dilution.

COLLECTION:A simple urine specimen.

HAIR TESTING

DETECTION PERIOD:Hair analysis can detect drug use for approximately the previous 90 days.

EVASION: Hair testing cannot be evaded, easily since the drug residue remains permanently entrapped in the hair.

COLLECTION: A cosmetically undetectable snip of hair is easily collected without causing embarrassment.

BLOOD TESTING

DETECTION PERIOD: Short - usually only hours.

COLLECTION PROBLEMS: With the fear of blood borne infectious diseases, drug testing with blood is not usually the preferred method. Blood testing is the least used and recommended form of drug testing because of the invasiveness of the collection, the need for skilled sample takers and the extremely short detection period.

SALIVA TEST

DETECTION PERIOD: Short, when testing for Marijuana, only 8 to 24 hours.

EVASION: A number of researchers argue that oral fluids testing is less susceptible to adulteration than urine.

COLLECTION: A simple non-invasive collection, involving a tube with two sections. The top section holds a small highly absorbent insert. The subject simply puts the insert in their mouth allowing it to absorb as much saliva as possible. The bottom section of the tube collects the saliva as it passes through a small hole in the top section when spun in a centrifuge. While saliva testing is slightly more expensive than urinalysis, it's advantages in ease of collection, storage and the non-invasive collection process seems to be appealing in the work place.

Who Should Utilize Drug Testing?

• Government Child and Family agencies
• Government Social Services agencies
• State Departments of Correction
• Parole and Probation officers
• Doctors that prescribe regulated narcotics
• Schools
• Social Workers
• Counselors
• Attorneys
• Any Company that cares for the well being of their employees

Drug Testing Myths

Q: Will Herbal Tea make my drug test positive?

A: No, legal herbal teas will not affect your drug test.

Q: I heard poppy seeds will make me test positive?

A: Certain poppy seeds eaten in sufficient quantity may cause a urine test to be positive. This is why your organization should employ Medical Review Officer (MRO) services with every positive test. Based on information you provide the MRO and further Lab testing your result will be verified as Negative.

Q: I heard I could use my friend's urine in place of my urine?

A: This would be very difficult considering the fact that the person who collects the urine specimen watches for this. There's a temperature strip on the collection bottle. If you were to use your friend's urine it wouldn't be the right body temperature.

Q: Will consumption of foods containing hemp seeds/flour/oil cause a positive drug test?

A: Not a chance! Consumption of “hemp-foods” is not a reasonable explanation for a positive drug test.

Q: Is testing blood is more accurate than testing urine?

A: No for many reasons, here are a few: Drugs do not bind to protein in blood, Drugs are relatively stable in urine, and Drug levels are higher in urine than blood.

Q: I heard that adulteration of a urine specimen is easy, is this true?

A: The science of drug testing is sound. Testing is accurate as long as urine collections are conducted appropriately and the lab tests for specimen integrity.

Q: I heard that taking Golden Seal will cover up Marijuana in a urine specimen, is this true?

A: Not at all! In fact, Golden Seal is often tested for as an adulterate.

Q: Will drinking water help a person pass a drug test?

A: Today, labs are measuring specific gravity, pH, creatinine levels, and temperature are determining "positive" and "negative" results more accurately than ever.