What is the purpose of a drug testing program? Many individuals consider drug testing to be a “gotcha!” moment, but we don’t view it that way at all. If employers really care about their employees, they will take steps to drug test and then help employees and themselves.
If an employee is a productive and beneficial member of your workforce, it doesn’t make economic sense to remove them from your workforce based on one mistake. Moreover, keeping them on board and helping them overcome the drug-use issue shows compassion for the individual and their family. When we say that a drug testing programs can help your employees, we mean it. It could genuinely save their life.
This article highlights just one recent serious study regarding the dangers of “dodgy drugs”. After Otago University students brought in samples of MDMA, a drug testing program concluded that 65% of the samples contained a dangerous stimulant called eutylone. What happens when your body takes in too much eutylone? In high doses, the psychoactive substance can cause palpitations, seizures, hallucinations and psychosis.
These students probably assumed that they were completely safe using these drugs before the test. After all, only 2% of all tested pills contained eutylone just one year ago. That rapid increase really highlights the fact that individuals are truly flipping a coin when trying drugs from dodgy sources.
It is quite reasonable to assume one of your employees could be using a dangerous drug just like the altered MDMA featured in the article. If they are, it’s quite easy to see how your drug testing program could genuinely be a very eye-opening “gotcha” moment. Not in the sense that you’ve discovered an employee to instantly terminate, but rather, a chance to step in, help the individual and ensure the necessary steps are taken to keep them safe and productive at your place of business. After hearing the results of the drug testing program, around 75% of young people said they wouldn’t take a substance after discovering its true hidden dangers. There’s a great chance that your employees would display a similar, if not even greater change of heart after undergoing your drug testing program.
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 410.494.0232 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com
