Is Drug & Alcohol Testing Worth the Cost?

According to the facts, the benefits of drug and alcohol testing far outweigh the cost. One only has to look at the dramatic reduction in positive drug test rates between 1988 when employers first started drug testing and 2003 when over 67 percent of employers test. The positive rate was 13.6 percent in 1988 and it had decreased to 4.5 percent in 2003.

There are five critical components of an effective drug-free workplace program: drug-free workplace policy, supervisor training, employee education, employee assistance and drug/alcohol testing. Each one of these components is, in fact, critical and complementary to each other. Drug and alcohol testing provides the following benefits. read more

Why Should You Consider Partnering With USIS to Manage Your Drug-Free Workplace Program?

1. Our people. Although it has become fashionable to tout employees as the most important/best part of a company, in some cases, it is actually true. USIS employees have an extensive history servicing drug and alcohol testing customers, and it is a rare situation that one of our experienced staff hasn’t seen and isn’t able to resolve.
   
2. Expertise. Drug-free workplace law and federal regulations are complex. Whether it is state law, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or another DOT agency, drug testing rules require knowledge and understanding in order to implement and manage a program. USIS has that knowledge.
   
3. The right tools. From a superb model policy that is included in the USIS enrollment fee, to employee and supervisor training programs, to managing specimen collection, testing and medical review of test results, USIS is geared to meet and satisfy all of an employer’s drug testing requirements.
   
4. Cost. Outsourcing to a knowledgeable third-party administrator has proven to be the most cost-effective way to manage a drug and alcohol testing program. USIS’ purchasing power ensures the lowest possible cost for tests, medical review and other drug testing resources. USIS’ program management allows customers to focus on what they do best, not expend valuable time and resources trying to learn and manage a specialized program like drug testing.

Drug and alcohol testing have proven, without question, to be effective tools in increasing productivity and safety in the workplace. This is demonstrated by the facts that over 67 percent of U.S. employers have established programs and are conducting tests. Pre-employment drug testing is effective in identifying the majority of drug users before they are hired and placed in the workforce. Random drug/alcohol testing serves as a major deterrent to drug/alcohol use by existing employees. Reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing serve to not only deter drug/alcohol use, but to identify individuals who are currently under the influence and causing workplace problems.

Lastly, whether a company implements a drug/alcohol testing program to increase safety and productivity or to comply with state/federal rules, USIS has the expertise and tools to help ensure you have the most cost-effective, compliant program available.

If you are interested in creating a drug-free workplace program for your company, please call (866) 205-6129 or email sales@usis.com.

USIS Drug and Alcohol History Database

Federal Criminal Searches Can Impact Your Hiring Decisions

For years, many USIS clients have chosen not to conduct federal criminal searches, sometimes incorrectly assuming their applicants have not committed “typical” federal offenses, such as interstate drug trafficking, arms violations, kidnapping or other similar offenses. However, two serious and growing crimes have recently been added as federal offenses, which could impact an employer’s need to screen employees for federal crimes. Offenses involving methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution have been added to the list of federal crimes. Typical federal offenses involving meth are:

• Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 846)
• Possessing equipment and chemicals for methamphetamine manufacturing (21 U.S.C. 843 (a) 6)
• Possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute (21 U.S.C. 843)
• Maintaining a drug house (21 U.S.C. 856 (a) (1))

Clients who choose not to conduct federal criminal searches run the risk of missing serious drug offenses that now have a greater chance of being committed by a large percentage of the available workforce. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Justice statistics, 31 percent of matters opened for investigation by U.S. attorneys were investigated for drug offenses.

On July 15, 2005, President Bush signed the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, which makes identity theft a federal offense and provides stiffer penalties for the crime. More than half of all identity theft cases are carried out by insiders, according to research by the Federal Trade Commission and Michigan State University. Companies employing individuals who have access to personal identifying information (Social Security numbers, dates of birth) or other confidential client information (credit card numbers, etc.) should be especially diligent in performing federal criminal searches.

For more information about the new federal offenses, or to inquire about adding federal criminal searches to your current screening package, contact your sales representative or call (866) 205-6129.