Is drug testing in the workplace a necessity? Take a look at the numbers. Statistics show that 47% of workplace accidents that result in serious injury and 40% of workplace accidents that result in death involve drug and/or alcohol use. Therefore, it is universally accepted that a drug-free workplace (DFWP)is essential for safety-minded employers.

• Does drug testing require certification? — It depends on what type of drug testing you are doing. For example, pre-employment and even random drug test do not have to be conducted by a certified technician. We suggest you have a well trained staff member from human resources, etc... be trained with basic knowledge to be a drug testing coordinator. All Federal drug screens require a certified DOT licensee.
• As of May 16, 2012, at least 28 states put forth proposals in 2012 to require drug testing or screening for public assistance applicants or recipients. — Three states passed legislation in 2011 and four states have passed legislation in 2012, bringing the total number of states to seven. In 2012, Utah passed legislation requiring applicants to complete a written questionnaire screening for drug use and Georgia passed legislation requiring drug tests for all applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Tennessee approved a bill to require substance abuse testing for all applicants and Oklahoma passed a measure requiring all applicants for TANF to be screened for illegal drug use.
• How do I set-up a Drug-Free workplace program? — An effective DFWP program consists of five components that, together, provide a full, comprehensive management and training program designed specifically to meet the needs of your company. click here for additional DFWP info.

On the job drug and alcohol abuse problems are common but easy to fix:

• Consider your company goals— Are you having any concerns about drugs of abuse within your company? If the answer is yes or maybe, then you should consider the implementation of a drug-free workplace program.
• Should my company drug and/or alcohol test? — Drug and alcohol abuses continue rising across the nation. Seventy-one percent of all drug users over the age of 18-more than 10 million workers-are employed full or part time, according to the Department of Labor.
• Tough economic times, you think you can't afford to drug alcohol test —Drug and alcohol testing can be relatively inexpensive and very affordable, by simply doing it yourself, rather than outsourcing. Remember no certification is necessary at all for non-DOT drug and alcohol screening. Only DOT (department of transportation) drug screens and Post-Accident (federal) workers, such as forklift drivers, truck drivers, dump truck and/or heavy equipment operators, transit drivers, etc... actually require a certified person. Breath alcohol testing of a DOT employee/worker requires a certified breath alcohol technician.
• What are the advantages of drug and alcohol testing in house onsite? — On-site drug testing is less expensive. You simply buy drug test from a low cost drug and alcohol testing supplier such as any Rapid-Exams, Inc. online store.
• Reduce employee downtime by drug testing onsite yourself — In a random drug test situation, it is very costly to send an employee elsewhere to get a random drug test done. Simply call one of our experts to get training information and material instructional data procedures, etc. We'll even throw in a sample in many cases with an prospective buyer.
• Increase overall safety and awareness by drug and alcohol testing. — Safety should be first and is very important in any workplace environment for all employees within any company, business, factory or otherwise establishment. When an accident on the job happens it can be related to drug use and/or prescription drug overdose and/or misuse.
• Save on insurance claims by decreasing company liability — If you allow employees to work under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, it can really increase company liabilities associated with liability exposures, potential law suits, etc...See if you qualify lower insurance premiums if you have a drug-free workplace program policy in place.
• ZERO TOLERANCE is the best policy for HERO intelligence — Update your company policy by implementing a drug free workplace program today. Start with an inexpensive box of 24 Alco-screen .02 or a low cost rapid drug test. Remember workplace environmental safety is best!