Across the United States, each state has different laws about drug use, drug testing, and specifically, employee drug testing. Federal employees are covered under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. However, coverage for private employees varies by state. This means that each state must have a plan in place to ensure that we keep our workplaces, especially in vulnerable fields, safe and sober. However, only 5 states currently have legislation in place that deems employee drug testing legal. Despite hundreds of new bills related to drug testing laws being introduced in 2024, there is still work to be done.
Over the past 5 years, positive marijuana tests have increased by nearly 50%. This uptick could have serious implications for vulnerable workers, experts warn, as recreational marijuana laws have already been associated with a 10% increase in workplace injuries. Attempting to mitigate this risk has brought on a new effort to test employees more often and crack down on drug test tampering. Ten US states already have anti-cheating policies in place, using technology like dilution detection and adulterant tests to discourage foul play. Additionally, several compromised industries, like transportation and construction, are doing their part by testing their workforce regularly. This is helping to foster a compliant, safe, and sober work environment for those who need it the most.
Source: USDrugTestCenters.com
