Workplace drug abuse

The figures for drug abuse in the USA are astounding.

Statistics from the American Council for Drug Education.

• 60% of the world’s illegal drugs are consumed by Americans.
• 2,000,000 Americans use heroin.
• 6,000,00 use cocaine.
• 18,000,000 suffer from alcohol abuse.
• 23,000,000 people use marijuana at least four times in a week, according to the American Council for Drug Education.

Of all drug users, 74.8 percent are employed and active in the workplace. This means that 12.9 million individuals actively use drugs in the workforce, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

Using drugs impairs decision-making abilities as well as physically impairs people. This is a deadly concoction when on the job. In fact, between 10 and 20 percent of American workers who die at work have a positive result when tested for drugs or alcohol.

A study by OSHA states that the most dangerous occupations, such as mining and construction, also have the highest rates of drug use by their employees.

Useful link to workplace drug abuse

Workplace drug abuse. Take the Quiz!

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• Symptoms
• Effects of Abuse
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To learn more on how to drug screen your employees and improve the bottom line to your business, follow the link below.

Employer Drug Testing

Abusing drugs

Abusing drugs

Do you know who is abusing drugs around you? Not who you think and not what you think!

Most people think that prescription drugs are safe. The fact is they are only safe when prescribed and taken according to the doctors order. Proper usage of prescription drugs can help people protect their health and be more productive in life. But, when taken for non-medical or recreational purposes, prescription drugs are no safer than illicit or street drugs. The misconception of prescription drugs as legal and safe, even when abused, is particularly strong.

Sources indicate that abuse is becoming a problem especially with teens and young adults, which means that parents and employers need to be aware of the problem.

Abusing drugs.

SAMHSA defines prescription drug abuse as the use of any prescription drug such as; pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, or sedatives without their own prescription.  And for simply feeling the experience which the drug causes. Prescription drug abuse has been identified as a growing problem in American workplaces.

How can you identify and help? There are some simple steps you can take to help prevent this type of drug abuse.

• Make sure medications are taken as directed.
• Don’t share or borrow pills.
• Securely store and count pills (many teens/young adults get their drugs from the family medicine cabinet).
• To dispose of unused medications, mix them with an undesirable substance (e.g., used kitty litter, coffee grounds).
• Screen them with a simple drug test kit.

Drugs have different effects on people. See what drugs can do to you, their effects and how long they can stay in your system.

How do you tell if someone is abusing drugs? Some signs may be identified with common illnesses, while others are very obvious. If your coworkers frequently have accidents or exhibit erratic behavior, or have dilated pupils and slurred speech, then this may be a sign of intoxication.

Extreme mood swings, paranoia, glassy eyes and noticeable exhaustion are also signs of drug abuse. Being frequently away from work is another sign of drug use. NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) estimates that absenteeism of drug users is 66 percent higher than other employees. If you notice these symptoms, it is time to tell a supervisor and start Workplace drug testing before its too late.

Here is a useful link to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

5 panel urine drug test

5 panel urine drug test

The FDA cleared ProScreen 5 panel urine drug test is a rapid, one-step test that detects the most common 5 drugs in human urine with cut-off levels that conform to SAMHSA guidelines.

Features:

• Shipped in packs of 5 kits per box.
• Available in two configurations.
• Detects 5 drugs in one test.
• Used by professional drug test labs.
• Results are clear easy to read and can be photocopied.
• Fewer false positive results from common medications such as: Zantac, Sustiva, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid, Nexium, Phenergan, Zoloft, Sudafed PE and Adipex.
• Flood proof  - meaning the test card can be fully immersed into the urine sample without affecting the test result.
• Manufactured in USA.
• FDA 510 (k) cleared.
• Conforms to SAMHSA guidelines for cut-off levels.

5 panel urine drug test is the most accurate and reliable urine drug test kit available, employing the very latest techniques, with flood proof design ensuring accurate and reliable results every time.

— Simply the best drug test kit at any price. —

Suitable uses:

• Drug testing at home.
• Testing your child or family member.
• Law courts.
• Staffing agencies.
• Workplace drug testing programs.
• Pre-employment testing.
• Random employment testing in the workplace.
• Random drug testing in schools or youth organizations.
• Probation situations and or inmates in law enforcement facilities.

Perfect for use at home or the workplace. Used by professionals throughout the USA. Simple to administer, super accurate and easy to store with a long shelf life.

Full instructions are included in each pack, but you can also download a copy by clicking the red button below.

Data sheet Test form Instructions

Screening cut-off levels for ProScreen drug test kits.


5 panel urine drug test

Buy a test kit for screening drugs.

When buying a test kit for drugs, check that it tests for the drugs you need. Check the product is sealed and has not expired. Read the instructions thoroughly and make sure you understand the process before you start.

Process for testing

• Remove the device from the sealed wrapper, and place on a flat surface.
• Ask the donor to provide 30 to 100ml of urine in a cup.
• It is a good idea to check the temperature as donors have been known to provide fake samples.
• Check the temperature. NOTE. The temperature should be within 90 to 98°F.
• If it’s not don’t accept the sample. Ask the donor to provide a new sample. Remember to check the temperature again.
• Check that the sample has an odour, also observe the color of the sample.
• If you are satisfied that the sample is satisfactory, then proceed with the testing.

Dip drug test kits.

• Remove the cap from the device and immerse the tips of the device into the urine for 20 seconds.
• Remove from the urine and replace the cap.
• NOTE. Only immerse the tips, not the whole device into the urine.
• Place on a flat surface and wait for the results to appear.

Cup drug test kits.

• For cups the process is slightly different. This depends to some extent on the brand. In this example we will use the EliteScreen Eco cup.
• Unscrew the cup lid and place on one side.
• Ask the donor to provide a sample of urine to the level marked on the cup.
• Check the temperature is in range; 93 to 98°F.
• Once confirmed, reattach the lid and wait for 3 minutes then remove the label from the face of the cup.
• Within a few minutes the results will appear. You will start to see a colored lines appear in the window.
• Within five minutes the results will have fully developed.

Interpretation.

• Negative: two lines appear. (C) and (T) lines.
• Invalid: no lines appear or the (C) control line is not present.
• Presumed positive: control line (c) is visible but the test line (T) is not apparent.

In the case of a presumed positive the urine sample should be packaged and sent to a SAMSHA approved laboratory. This is important as the result needs to be confirmed. The confirmation will quantify the amount of drug(s) found.

The amount found can be used as a reference to compare against future test results.

Buy a test kit for marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

This is called a 5 panel test. Having 5 panels each of which display the result for a specific drug. This is recommended by NIDA

Using this kind of test is a sure way to detect most commonly abused drugs by using urine.

There are other drugs that can be screened too, these include, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone and oxycodone.

There are over twenty different drugs that can be tested in this way when you buy a test kit.

Remember to buy a test kit that tests for the drugs you wish to test for and keep it handy for when you might need it. Examples can include: reasonable suspicion, monitoring drug abuse, post accident, return to duty and pre employment.

Drug testing in the workplace

Drug testing employees.

Drug testing employees has now become a necessity, mainly because drug abuse in the workplace has become rampant. 

The effect on the workplace is affecting productivity, reliability and absenteeism. 

How does this affect the employer? They are responsible for your well-being while working, and if a co-worker is abusing drugs while at work they may endanger other workers. 

The simple solution is to implement a drug free workplace. Where do I start? Products and Information 

Urine drug test kits

4 panel drug test

• Drug test kits

• Urine is the most widely tested specimen in drug screening. It shows a history of drug abuse shorter than hair, but longer than oral saliva fluid. A sample of only 10 milliliters is sufficient to provide information on the last 2 to 3 days of drug history for most drugs. 
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• All presumptive positive screens should be confirmed by a lab using GC-MS technology. 
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• For more information on drug screening using drug test kits, visit: www.buyatestkit.com/drug-test-kits/

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How to drug test like the professional

Does anyone know how to drug test correctly?

It seems to me that when someone takes a drug test that no two testing facilities test the same. Also when you test at home are you taking the right precautions?

Administering a drug test is only as good as the person administrating the test. And if you don't follow simple rules, either the test will be a waste of time or the result could be wrong.

Lets look at the issue in more detail.

To get an accurate result from a rapid instant drug test, the device needs to be testing urine. Sounds obvious, but when someone wants to pass the test, he/she will do whatever it takes to pass the test. Always check the specimen with a specimen validity test. Always check the temperature, it should be around 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

These fundamental requirements are required otherwise the result will always be negative. And what use is that if you are running a "drug free environment" either at home or in the workplace.

5 panel drug test kit

Drug testing.

1. Have a clean dry cup ready for the donor so they can go to the bathroom and provide a urine sample. Preferably use a specimen cup that has a temperature strip on the side so you can check the temperature.
2. Tell the donor you need a minimum sample of 30 ml and to complete the task as quickly as possible.
3. Tell the donor to not flush the toilet after the sample has been provided. You need to check the toilet for signs of discarded paraphernalia.
4. If you are using a specimen cup, then check the urine temperature. This should be between 93 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is out of range, immediately ask the donor to provide a new sample or ask them to wait until they can. Do not allow them to leave the area until a sample has been provided.
5. Examine the urine color; it should be light yellow in color with a slight odor.  It should not be bright yellow or clear.  These are warning signs that the sample may have been substituted.
6. Remove the protective cap from the dip drug test and immerse just the tips it into the urine sample. Do not flood the device as this will invalidate the test.
7. After 20 seconds remove from the urine sample.
8. Replace the protective cap and place on a flat surface and wait for the results to appear.
9. Within the first minute you will start to see a reaction with lines gradually appearing.
10. After 5 minutes read the result.

More information can be found "drug test instructions"