The percentage of employees with fentanyl positivity in the general U.S. workforce testing positive for fentanyl in random drug tests far exceeded those in pre-employment testing, according to the 2025 Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ from Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services.
While the analysis of more than 8 million drug tests shows that overall workplace urine drug positivity declined slightly last year, to 4.4% from 4.6%, the sharp increase in fentanyl in random drug checks suggests more workers are using the highly addictive opioid after they have passed pre-employment screens. Random drug testing involves unscheduled and unannounced drug tests of employed individuals after they have presumably passed pre-employment drug screens. [R&A Comment – We have written previously about the power of random drug testing here]
In 2024, the general U.S. workforce positivity for fentanyl was 707% higher in random tests (1.13%) compared to pre-employment tests (0.14%). [R&A comment – We write here about the power of random drug testing]
“The new Quest data indicates a worrying increase in fentanyl positivity in random drug tests as well as fentanyl drug-combing among the nation’s workforce in day-to-day work environments,” said Suhash Harwani, PhD, Senior Director of Science for Workforce Health Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. “It is disturbing to see increased use of fentanyl on-the-job and in combination with other drugs, given fentanyl’s extreme potency, which can increase risk of impairment, accidents, and potential overdose. It also raises concern that employees are turning to a dangerous drug like fentanyl after they’ve passed a pre-employment drug screen, putting the overall wellness of the workforce at risk.”
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs since 1999. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. To learn more about the rights of employees who test positive for marijuana, Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.494.0232 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com
