Workplace Drug Testing

Foreword

Introduced as a deterrent to drug abuse to ensure safety and productivity, drug testing in the workplace has seen steady growth over the last 25 years to become an integral field of the forensic toxicology discipline, along with human performance and post-mortem fields. The magnitude of the substance abuse problems in society, the presence of new synthetic drugs, modifications in the physical state or increase in potency of existing drugs, and abuse of prescription drugs are factors that demand a commensurate response from drug testing. Workplace drug testing in the 21st century is a complex process with multiple components, which include federal and state regulations, administrative and legally mandated rules, collection procedures, methodologies for testing and analysis (initial and confirmatory), cut-off limits, interference of prescribed drugs, environmental exposure, accuracy and validity of analysis, use and application of reported results, etc. Unless society finds adequate means to curb the expanding drug use, workplace drug testing will continue to increase in complexity in order to provide a balanced response.

Cost of Substance Abuse

Benefits of Workplace Testing

Whether immediate or more subtle, long-term visible, the benefits of testing in the workplace can hardly be denied:

Increased Safety and Productivity

Increased Attendance and Employee Morale

Lower Turnaround, Fewer Negligent Hiring

Lower Workers Comp Premium, Fewer Claims 

Lower Healthcare Insurance Costs

Improved Company Culture, Reputation, and Image

True, there is a cost associated with substance abuse testing in the workplace, but the short and long-term benefits largely offset the cost. Concerned about the cost? ETS has options that fit any budget. Since drug testing reduces the risk factors in the workplace, many businesses fully cover the cost of testing with savings from the discount received on the workers’ comp annual premium. ETS’ current clients report less absenteeism and call-in sick days, fewer medical insurance and workers’ comp claims, low turnaround (new hires are the right, drug-free hires), a friendlier and more relaxed workplace atmosphere, and increased productivity. All these mean a healthier bottom line.

Services

Whether you are a small or large private business, nonprofit organization, or government entity under Connecticut State and/or federal workplace drug testing regulations (e.g., Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services), ETS offers the following consulting and testing services for employment:

Consulting, Education, and Training

Substance Abuse Policy (Drug Policy) Development

Administration of Drug Testing Program

Company Random Selection Pool

Test Data Management and Reporting

Collection and Testing

Specialty Toxicology Testing

No matter the complexity of a problem, from a one-time request for a drug/alcohol test to the implementation/administration of a rigorous drug testing program, ETS will bring the expertise and knowledge to respond appropriately to your needs.

Tests

The following types of testing for employment are offered:

Pre-Employment

Reasonable Cause/Suspicion

Random

Post-Accident

Return-to-Duty

Follow-Up

ETS strictly follows all applicable State (Connecticut Statute §31-51t through 31-51aa) and Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 40) governing drug testing, which include testing type and methods, sample collection, result reporting, data management, and protection of privacy and confidentiality of the donor.

Methods

ETS offers all methodologies for testing which are permitted by the Connecticut State and Federal Regulations:

Breathalyzer Test (DOT/Non-DOT)

Lab-based Urine Test (DOT/Non-DOT)

Instant Urine Test

Lab-based Saliva Test

Instant Saliva Test

Hair Test

ETS has the expertise and knowledge to bring new testing methodologies (e.g., drug testing in breath) as they are validated by the toxicology labs, approved by the state and federal regulators, and are legally defensible.

Collection

Sample collection for drug testing is done at your location. There is no reason to send employees to a fixed location (outpatient clinic, occupational health center, medical facility, lab collection site, etc.) just for specimen collection. Sample collection takes 10 to 15 minutes, yet sending it out to a fixed facility takes a minimum of 3 hours. For an employer, this means work disruption, loss of productivity, and money. Also, consider this: sending out employees or prospective employees (job applicants) for sample collection invites cheating on the test for those compelled to do so. With ETS, specimen collection is performed on-site, which essentially means on the company location, worksite, or job site for businesses with employees outside company premises.

In addition, the employer schedules the collection at a time most convenient for the business operation and not the time imposed by the business hours of fixed facilities. The on-site collection service reduces sample collection time from 3 to 4 hours to 10 to 15 minutes and delivers the “SURPRISE!” factor to those who must prepare to pass the test. It is indeed the unexpected, thus making the on-site sample collection truly effective.

Team of Medical Research Scientists Collectively Working on a New Generation Experimental Drug

Result Reporting

Specimens are sent for analysis by courier overnight to a carefully selected, SAMHSA-accredited toxicology lab. ETS spares no effort in finding and partnering with the most reliable toxicology labs in the nation to ensure test accuracy, fast turnaround time of the results, and the best customer service.

From the time of arrival at the toxicology lab, the test results are reported within 24 hours for negatives and 2 to 3 extra days for positives. All test results released by the toxicology lab are verified by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) before being reported to the employer. ETS oversees the process and assists the employer with interpreting, using, and applying results.

A message from the president and owner of Eastern Testing Services, Dr. Ilie Saracovan, PhD:

“Workplace drug testing is a critical area to which every employer is understandably sensitive and, in many cases, a bit apprehensive. The apprehension becomes more evident when there is an immediate need to take action because the circumstances ask for it. This is where Eastern Testing Services can work with you to ease the worries by providing professional guidance to successfully handle or prevent substance abuse issues in the workplace.”

Laboratory Worker Studying Blood Samples

Court-Ordered Drug Testing

DNA Testing

By looking at the individual’s genetic system level, DNA testing is undoubtedly far superior to any previous technology when it comes to identifying similarities and differences between individuals with great certainty. Today’s DNA testing is accurate, quick, and affordable, regardless of the type of test requested: paternity, family relationship, child safety identification, immigration, infidelity, forensic, ancestry, etc.

ETS works with only the best laboratories in the US, which are fully accredited and regularly audited by federal and state authorities. Our lab partners routinely use the 16-marker test, the latest high-resolution DNA testing technology, and guarantee a greater than 99.999% probability of the results.

Scientist With Dropper Working at the Laboratory

Sample Collection for DNA Testing

With the exception of forensic testing, which requires special sampling and specimen handling techniques, the sample collection for most DNA testing is a simple and painless process that can be performed at home or other collection sites, which offers privacy for the donor. A sterile cotton swab is gently rubbed on the inside of the cheek for about 30 seconds, placed into an envelope, and sent to the lab for analysis.

Close Up of Test Sample Making Research in Clinical Laboratory Over Hydrogen Chemical Formula

Testing and Result Reporting

Upon collection, the samples are shipped overnight to the testing lab. The results reported vary by type of DNA testing. From the time of sample arrival at the lab, the result of a paternity test is reported in 2 business days. A different kind of DNA testing, such as relationship tests, can be reported in 3 business days, while ancestry may require 5 to 7 business days to complete the analysis and process the results. However, rush service is always available for clients who wish to see the results as soon as possible.

A full spectrum of DNA tests (court admissible or private use) is readily available:

Paternity

Relationship

Individual Profile

Profile

Child Safety Identification

Infidelity

Immigration

Forensic

Native American Indian

Ancestry

Vault

The DNA testing consultant on our staff is certified by the NADCM (National Association for DNA Collection and Management). ETS will answer your questions, provide guidance with the choice of DNA test, and help interpret the test results.

Paternity DNA Test

Young Attractive Female Scientist in Protective Glasses and Gloves Dropping a Red Liquid SubstanceTwo Workers on a Construction Site, Working on the Framework of a Building

Relationship DNA Test

A DNA relationship (kinship) test answers whether two children share the same biological parents (sibling test). It is highly recommended to include the mother(s) when known and available for testing. When the mother(s) is/are not available for testing (missing or deceased), testing additional family members in addition to the potential siblings is highly desirable to improve the accuracy of the test. Twins can be tested to determine whether they are identical or fraternal (twin zygosity test).

The Y-chromosome test is available when a standard paternity DNA test cannot be performed. The Y chromosome is present only in males and is passed from father to son to grandson. Consequently, the Y-chromosome test can be used to determine whether two males are related through their paternal lines.

The relationship DNA test coupled with the paternity test is successfully used for family reconstruction along true genetic lines.

For difficult-to-resolve cases, a 26-marker system plus Amelogenin is available to increase the accuracy of kinship analysis.

Two Professionals in a Laboratory, With Faces Obscured, Working Together

Individual DNA Profile Test

The individual DNA profile analysis provides the genetic profile of the tested individual. The standard DNA profile test uses 16 markers (genetic sites) to generate the genetic profile, but extended profiles based on 18 or 22 markers are available upon request.

Infidelity DNA Test

The need for an infidelity DNA test ranges from suspicion of cheating and extramarital affairs to non-parental children. The Infidelity DNA Test result provides evidence (or lack of it) of unfaithfulness in a relationship. Confirming infidelity will certainly help individuals make the right decisions by either saving a relationship/marriage or making better choices in the future.