WHEN SHOULD YOU DRUG TEST?

The three main methods of drug testing are hair drug testing, urine drug testing and saliva drug testing. Hair testing has the longest period of detection, then urine. Saliva testing will only test back to about 24 hours. For more information see the hair testing FAQ.

Below are examples of situations in which drug testing might be appropriate or necessary:

• Pre-Employment Tests. Offering employment only after a negative drug test result.
• Goal: To decrease the chance of hiring someone who is currently using or abusing drugs.
• Pre-Promotion Tests. Testing employees prior to promotion within the organization.
• Goal: To decrease the chance of promoting someone who is currently using or abusing drugs.
• Annual Physical Tests. Testing employees for alcohol and other drug use as part of their annual physical.
• Goal: To identify current users and abusers so they can be referred for assistance and/or disciplinary action.
• Reasonable Suspicion and For Cause Tests. Testing employees who show obvious signs of being unfit for duty (For Cause) or have documented patterns of unsafe work behavior (Reasonable Suspicion).
• Goal: To protect the safety and wellbeing of the employee and other coworkers and to provide the opportunity for rehabilitation if the employee tests positive.
• Random Tests. Testing a selected group of employees at random and unpredictable times. Most commonly used in safety- and securitysensitive positions.
• Goal: To discourage use and abuse by making testing unpredictable, and to identify current users and abusers so they can be referred for assistance and/or disciplinary action if needed.
• Post-Accident Tests. Testing employees who are involved in an accident or unsafe practice incident to help determine whether alcohol or other drug use was a factor.
• Goal: To protect the safety of the employees, and to identify and refer to treatment those persons whose alcohol or other drug use threatens the safety of the workplace.
• Treatment Follow up Tests. Periodically testing employees who return to work after participating in an alcohol or other drug rehabilitation program.
• Goal: To encourage and ensure that employees remain drug-free after they have completed the first stages of treatment.

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