By Bill Current, President & Founder
Getting It Right
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What makes a drug test a good drug test? Good question.
Is it a hassle-free experience?
An easy collection?
An immediate result or fast turnaround?
Getting a good price?
Staying out of court?
All of those things are important, but I suggest the number one priority should be an accurate result. In the end, an accurate result, one in which an employer has confidence, makes it possible to make legally defensible employment decisions.
Why Accuracy Matters in Workplace Drug Testing
Early in my career, during the infancy of the drug testing industry, I was fortunate enough to meet several people who helped me understand the importance of getting it right. People like Donna Smith, Mike Walsh, Mac Allen, and Dennis Bennet, among others, were advocates for doing things the right way or not at all.
In those early days, the military, which played a big role in establishing standards for drug and alcohol testing, lived by this simple motto:
“If in doubt, throw it out.”
Or, in other words, a test result that cannot be relied on as accurate is not worthy of defending.
That principle still holds true today.
The Steps Behind an Accurate Drug Test
Of course, getting it right involves the entire process that leads up to an accurate result, including being able to justify:
- Who will be subject to testing
- Which specimen types will be used (urine, oral fluid, or hair)
- Which drugs will be tested
- How specimens will be collected
- How samples will be analyzed and confirmed
- How results will be reviewed and verified
- How results will be reported to the employer
Each step in the testing process contributes to the reliability of the final result.
Why Not All Drug Testing Methods Are Equal
The challenge remains the same today—accuracy must be the priority. Unfortunately, not all drug testing methods are equal when it comes to producing a legally defensible result. For workplace drug testing, a urine test through a SAMHSA-certified laboratory has been the gold standard for three decades. Other reputable lab certifications are also available and are permitted in most states.
Additionally, there are a number of FDA-cleared rapid-result urine devices and at least one rapid-result oral fluid device. These products and services can typically be relied upon when used correctly to produce legally defensible results. And remember, there are a handful of states that permit rapid-result testing that also require the use of an FDA-cleared device.
Today, there are also non-FDA-cleared devices that instead have what is known as an E&I label, which means that they can be used for employment and insurance drug testing.
The Importance of a Strong Drug Testing Policy
Finally, I would argue that getting it right starts with a well-crafted drug testing policy. Such a policy will:
- clearly articulate a company’s drug testing objectives,
- define what behavior is prohibited,
- outline the consequences for violating the policy,
- explain how and when drug testing will occur, and
- specify who will be subject to testing.
And the key to a reliable, legally defensible policy is complete compliance with all applicable state laws and federal regulations. This means that if you are in multiple states, your policy must include individual addendums for each state with legal requirements that differ from your base policy.
Getting Drug Testing Right Protects Employers and Employees
When it comes to drug testing, getting it right and ending up with an accurate, legally defensible result should be every employer’s number one priority.
Review Your Drug Testing Program
Is your company’s drug testing program built to deliver accurate, reliable, and legally defensible results?
If you are unsure, it may be time to review your policies and procedures.
The Current Consulting Group can help. Our experts work with employers to develop and update drug testing policies that comply with current regulations and reflect industry best practices.
Let the Current Consulting Group help you strengthen your company’s drug testing policy. Check us out at CurrentConsultingGroup.com, or email us today at info@currentconsultinggroup.com.
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