The proliferation of substance abuse in the work place has made drug testing a requirement in many companies, and doing a pre-employment drug test using a home drug test kit may help ease the minds of many job applicants.

Almost 80% of companies in the Fortune 500 do drug testing prior to employment. The objective of this policy is to minimize the workplace incidents caused by substance abuse and not just to comply with legal requirements. Companies realize that drug abuse which results in actions like absenteeism, tardiness, theft and violence, impact on productivity and efficiency. Statistics of the US Department of Labor show that drug use in the workplace is the cause of 65% of all accidents on the job. Drug use in the workplace costs businesses up to $140 billion every year.

A 1987 survey by a national testing laboratory showed that more than 18% of all workers tested positive for drugs. Ten years later, this number had dropped to a little more than 5%. Whatever the reason for the decline, companies believe that pre employment drug testing is a valuable tool for ensuring operational efficiency and safety.

US courts have held that pre employment drug testing is legal and a valid reason for turning down an application for employment. To be on the safe side, employers make it clear that drug testing is a prerequisite for employment and secure the applicant’s consent to submit to a drug test. Laws protect applicants who are undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction but not those who are current drug users.

Most companies require applicants to undergo a pre-employment drug test for marijuana (THC), cocaine, PCP, opiates like morphine, and amphetamines. Some companies, using a ten panel test, also include prescription drugs even though they are legal. Others also test for alcohol.

Companies generally send applicants to a drug testing site or clinic which conducts the drug tests according to the companies’ specifications. The most common method is urine sample testing. Testing centers employ sophisticated procedures to reconfirm test results, especially if they are positive. Some make use of the services of independent physicians to review the test results, and even discuss findings with the applicant if there are any questionable areas.

The complexity of drugs and drug laws may confuse job applicants, ironically enough those who are not drug users more than those who use drugs. For instance, eating poppy seeds before a test can show that an applicant is positive for opiates. To eliminate any anxiety on the part of job applicants, a pre-employment drug test using a home drug test kit is a helpful option. Prior to an official company drug test, the applicant can conduct his or her own pre-employment drug test in complete privacy and get advance reassurance that a company drug test will not be an obstacle to employment.