Drug and Alcohol Testing In Schools

The use of illicit drugs and alcohol interferes with the student’s ability to learn and is often found to be a disruption to teachers and other students. Schools, both public and private, continue to investigate the benefits of randomly testing students for drug and alcohol use. Following models established in the workplace, some schools have established testing programs that allow them to perform random testing as well as reasonable suspicion testing.

 

Schools that adopt random testing for drugs and alcohol seek to decrease substance misuse among its student populations by serving as a deterrent, giving students a reason to resist peer pressure. Random testing may also identify students who have recently started using illicit drugs or alcohol. These students may well benefit from early intervention. Those found to be chronic users may also be able to be identified and referred for treatment. The primary purpose of substance of abuse testing in schools is not to punish students, but rather to identify users and get them the assistance they may need.

 

Schools adopting reasonable suspicion testing should have clearly identified policies and training of staff and administration to identify symptoms of substance misuse through direct observation of a properly trained staff member. Without clearly identified policies and staff training, schools may find themselves subject to liability or claims of discrimination.

 

Depending on the individual school’s program and policies, the type of specimens being tested can range from urine, hair follicle or saliva. The types of substance and the length of time the substances can be detected vary from specimen to specimen.

 

Having a qualified expert in the drug and alcohol testing processes is critical in making informed decisions. Carolina Testing is happy to work with schools and school districts in providing information, options and services as needed to make these important decisions.

CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ON THE RISE – SO IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Construction and building is booming in the United States for the most part. This is true in one of the fastest growing areas of our country – Myrtle Beach, SC. Population growth is exploding in South Carolina and much of it is happening in the eastern upstate. With this explosion in growth comes a higher demand for construction workers including heavy equipment operators, tradesmen and laborers. Not only is the demand for these workers getting higher – so are the workers.

“Not only is the demand for these workers getting higher – so are the workers.”

According to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), the construction industry now has the second highest percentage (14.3%) of drug users on the job. This percentage trails the accommodations and food services industry which is the leader at 16.9% of drug users. The construction industry also comes in second place on the heels of the mining industry when it comes to heavy alcohol use.

 

According to Tom Jackson, in his story published in Equipment World, “Drugs bring big problems. The Department of Labor says drug and alcohol abuse contribute to up to 65 percent of on-the-job accidents and up to 50 percent of workers’ compensation claims. Substance abusers are absent from work an average of five days a month, are ten times more likely to steal from the company or other employees, use three times the normal level of employee health benefits and incur 300 percent higher medical costs.”

 

While some companies perform pre-employment drug screening of applicants, very few perform ongoing random drug screening to maintain a substance free workplace. Even fewer companies have comprehensive substance free workplace policies in place to implement such a program and provide protection for the company, its employees and customers. Having an effective policy in place allows a company to perform random testing, post accident testing and reasonable suspicion testing. Testing without a policy in place exposes the company to potential liability and claims of discrimination. Training should also be provided to train supervisors on how to detect, observe and report use and abuse on the job.

 

Partnering with a professional consultant and company that can assist in setting up and managing a substance free workplace is becoming far more cost effective and beneficial to these extremely busy and fast moving construction companies. Carolina Testing based in Conway, SC is one local, responsive and professional company able to provide a full array of substance free workplace services. Services include simple drug screening services to fully managed services including consulting services, policy creation, program management, employee screening and random program management.