Those who cheat drug tests can ruin your business and injure other third parties. Businesses, like yours, use drug tests as a way to reliably determine whether or not an applicant might be ready to take on the responsibilities of your job role. Many industries and jobs require a level of focus, concentration and safety that is incompatible with being impaired on the job. Unfortunately, some people choose to find ways to cheat drug tests instead of abstaining from using illegal substances.
As drug positivity rates reach record highs, it does make sense that many drug users are searching for new ways to cheat drug tests. However, employers are also adapting to tests that are much harder to find a way around. The Intercept oral fluid testis the most effective way to find a positive result for illegal drugs and thwart cheating.
Unlike instant tests sold over the counter or urine tests, the Intercept oral fluid drug test makes it very challenging to cheat drug tests. It is lab-based and FDA-approved. Unlike other tests where immediate results might be available and subject to interpretation, the results first pass through a laboratory and then, if non-negative, to the Medical Officer. Having a Medical Review Officer, who is a qualified physician, associated with your drug testing program is a business best practice.
Advice on the internet often suggests drinking lots of water or Gatorade to dilute the urine. While this can sometimes succeed on urine tests, it is impossible to dilute the oral fluid specimen. Fake urine also can be used for drug tests, but oral fluid cannot be substituted with another substance. The Intercept test collection occurs under observation by a company manager, so any attempts to cheat will be witnessed.
Beyond making it harder to cheat drug tests, the oral fluid test also allows for a quick collection period, about 10 minutes. It can be used for pre-employment, random, after-accident, return-to-duty drug testing. Oral fluid will mirror any substances that would be visible in the blood, while traditional urine testing will only test for metabolites after the drug is processed by the kidneys.
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has since 1999 been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.336.0287 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com
