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Drug Testing: Is it an evasion or a Necessity

Drug testing in the workplace is relevant and important in today's society. The issue of drug testing in the workplace has sparked an ongoing debate in businesses throughout the United States. There are many who feel that drug testing is essential in order to prevent risks of harm to the greater public caused by substance abuse while on the job. As more illegal drugs appear on the market, drug abuse also increases as well as drug addicts or even people who want to simply "try it out one time." This causes the questions to arise; should drug testing be required in professional sports, schools and in the workplace? Should employees be exempted from drug testing after getting the job? What method of drug testing is most efficient? While some people think that it is an invasion of privacy, I believe that it is necessary for the reputation of a business as well as the safety of other employees, and customers. Drug testing should be required in professional sports, schools, and in the workplace to help prevent drug use and in turn provide and protect a healthy future. According to whatisdrugtesting.com, a drug test is the examination of human tissue or fluid samples to determine the presence or absence of specified drugs or their metabolized traces. Drug testing helps employers determine whether a potential employee is fit for the job and its requirements, it also lessens time for interviewers as many people who know they will fail a drug test will simply leave before even being interviewed. In today’s society, drugs have become increasingly dangerous to a person’s physical and mental well being as well as to those surrounding them. During interviews for job placement, many businesses undergo drug testing procedures. These tests are to look for any illegal drug intake as well as abusive intake of a substance. Though drug testing may be a burden to small businesses because of its high cost, it is also a necessary expense to have whether in a new and upcoming or a well known reputable business place. Not only is it important to provide drug tests during the interviewing process, it is also just as imperative to provide routine drug tests for current employees. (Mybinc.com) states that, “It’s easy for employers to dismiss drug testing in the workplace – they might think it’s an unnecessary expense, or they’d “know” if their employees weren’t sober at work. But these days this is a naive outlook to have. The website also shows statistics to support this statement; more than six percent of the population over 12 years of age (13.9 million people) has used drugs within the past thirty days. Seventy-three percent of all current drug users aged 18 and older (8.3 million adults) are employed. This includes 6.7 million full-time workers and 1.6 million part-time workers. Along with substance abuse come the risks that they may cause. Employees who use illegal drugs are more likely to have accidents on the job because of this. “70% of substance misusers are working in full-time employment and are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in an accident in the workplace, 5 times more likely to file workers' compensation claims, and 33 percent less productive than than their substance-free colleagues.,” as