Mobile Drug Testing; The Future of Drug Testing

With drug abuse being so rampant in the United States, drug testing in the workplace has become necessary in order to ensure the safety of all employees. Due to the mind-altering effects of illicit substances, an employee using drugs can pose a serious health risk to himself and his coworkers. More than 70 percent of people with a substance abuse problem currently hold a job, meaning thousands of workers are currently at risk due to impaired individuals. In addition to the physical dangers, an addict will often have lower productivity than a non-impaired employee, costing the company financially as well.

While some employers may hesitate to start drug testing staff, it can help a business in several ways. First, it gives employees the impression that there is no tolerance toward drug use, which will often scare casual drug users enough for them to stop using. Even occasional drug use can have a serious effect on reflexes, mood, concentration and energy, so getting off of drugs will improve an employee’s overall productivity. Second, when drugs are found during routine drug testing, employers can help the employee find support to help overcome their addiction. Getting caught during a drug test is often a wake-up call for an addict, who will choose to get treatment over losing his job. While some might feel like drug testing is an invasion of privacy, in many cases it can help addicts and even save their lives.

In the past, workplace drug testing was a hassle for both the employees and business itself. Such testing would require employees to visit an off-site lab to have tests done. This would take the employee away from work and often set a business back until testing was complete.

Mobile drug testing companies, such as USA Mobile Drug Testing, provide a more convenient alternative to traditional off-site drug testing. Employers don’t need to be concerned with giving the employee enough time to drive to the testing facility, get tested and drive back. In most cases this would take several hours out of the work day. With a mobile testing unit, the employee can simply take the time needed to complete the test and immediately go back to work. This gives the employee more time to do his job as well as takes some of the stress away from the testing process.

Mobile drug testing also costs employers less than traditional off-site drug testing in several ways. First, since employees aren’t missing work productivity is higher, therefore employers aren’t paying for time the employee isn’t actively working. Secondly, most employers have to cover the cost of the gas or public transportation it takes to get the employee to the testing facility. Those are the expenses paid in addition to paying the lab for their services. With a mobile testing unit, the employer just pays for the testing.

Drug testing done on-site also processes results faster than traditional labs. Off-site drug testing facilities will have to test employees over the span of several days or weeks, which can delay the speed at which the results come in. Since mobile drug testing tests the employees over a much shorter space of time, the results are processed and delivered to the employer much faster, often within 24 to 72 hours.

Sadly, drug use is a reality in the United States today, and therefore drug testing in the workplace is often necessary. The mobile drug testing services available today quickly give results without taking employees away from their work for too long. This reduces costs and increases productivity for the business. Why continue to put employees in harm’s way by allowing them to work with someone whose judgement may be obscured by drugs and alcohol? Protect employees as well as one’s business by hiring a mobile drug testing unit.

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