Drug testing in the work force

[rebeccarcook]

Nurse friends I have a question for all of you, and would appreciate your input.

How important do you think drug testing is in the work place?...and how often should random drug tests be given?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Is this a homework question? If so, what are YOUR thoughts?

If not, can you give us a little context and background?

[duskyjewel]

Pre-nursing student and this is her only post....it's homework.

[richardgecko]

I hope your screenname isn't your real name.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Rebecca, why don't you tell us what you think first, and we can chime in :)

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Are we going to get paid for testing these new drugs?

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

It's important in any field. They should randomly test anyone as often as they feel like it. Kind of don't have much of a choice if your employer wants it and you want to get/keep your job.

[Muser69]

No one....unless there is just cause.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've always had issues with the constitutionality of drug testing. For one thing, what employees do on their time off shouldn't be any of the employer's business---if they want to smoke a little MJ on their days off (in states where it's legal, or if they have a MM card), or take Klonopin for anxiety, why shouldn't they? And in the latter case, why should they have to disclose a mental-health diagnosis in order to prove the need for the medication?

That being said, I think UDS is valuable sometimes, like when there is a question of possible diversion. Even then, it's not foolproof, because the guilty party may not be taking the drugs her/himself but selling them. However, drug testing is here to stay, and with increasingly stringent regulation of scheduled drugs, it's probably only going to get more and more invasive.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

For one thing, what employees do on their time off shouldn't be any of the employer's business---if they want to smoke a little MJ on their days off (in states where it's legal, or if they have a MM card), or take Klonopin for anxiety, why shouldn't they?

There is no problem with screening and legally prescribed medication. I have many patients that are health care workers who I prescribe controlled substances. They have no problems with their employment and their legally prescribed drugs.

Those that take drugs recreationally then there is a legal problem there. And a potential impairment problem.

[Muser69]

I honestly can't remember when they did start drug testing. I do remember in the 1980's the agencies would have you sign a paper stating that they would not drug test you. I personally have never been tested in 42 years. Do they really have the entire staff take drug tests when diversion is suspected ? Don't they need a warrant?

[duskyjewel]

No. They are not law enforcement or government doing a search. You can refuse, and your employer can fire you for refusing. That's why most people comply, to keep their jobs.