Current topic:
Prescription Drugs
Employee Drug Testing Needed for Prescription Drugs Too
May 2008
Employment background screening has responded well to the threat posed by illegal substances in the workplace, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and more. And, with alcohol testing as another viable option, many employers have also succeeded in minimizing the dangers of drinking on the job.
But employee drug testing must also cover a new threat these days: the widespread abuse of prescription drugs on the job.
The statistics are both sad and disturbing; 1 in 10 people have an alcohol problem, and 20 million Americans have a problem with illicit drug abuse. But the abuse of prescription drugs is now a growing problem that's equally dangerous, and often harder to pinpoint.
Opioids like Vicodin and Oxycontin are growing in popularity, as are anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax and Valium, making it too easy for them to be abused. As dependencies grow, working people are often unaware or unable to admit that they have a problem, since prescription drugs are often considered "acceptable" by virtue of the fact that they've been prescribed, and are legal.
This is why employee drug testing must be conducted by a quality employment background screening agency, with an eye towards all forms of drug abuse.
In Pittsburgh alone, 60% of drug overdoses are now contributed to the abuse of prescription drugs, and billions of dollars are being lost in the workplace to everything from high turnover, to lowered morale, to missed work and higher worker's comp claims.
Many employers rely on EAPs, or employee assistance programs to help those employees that clearly have a drug problem. But what about those who don't exhibit the signs of drug abuse as clearly as others? The only real solution is to rely on random employee drug testing - in workplace environments where employees know they're subject to random testing, drug abuse drops dramatically.
Random employee drug testing needs to be a vital component of any drug and alcohol prevention strategy in the workplace, particularly in light of the new danger posed by prescription drugs. By implementing this important facet of employment background screening, employers can save time, money, and even lives.
Call EBI to discuss background screening for your firm through a custom program to suit your company's needs.
Our thorough background screening programs can make the difference in helping ensure you're candidates are who
they say they are
Criminal records searches. Random drug testing. Reference checks. Everything for a comprehensive picture of your prospective employees.
Call us at 800.324.7700 for details.
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