Quest Diagnostics recently shared information from its Drug Testing Index that showed an increase of more than 5% for positive tests in pre-employment drug screenings. The testing period was for the first half of 2012 and out-paced all of 2011.
On the other hand, rates remained the same for government-contracted and safety-sensitive jobs that required screening and random drug test positive rates were down by more than 6%, according to the information from the screening company.
Other information available from the results showed that amphetamine use is increasing while cocaine use is declining, and the most commonly used illicit drug is still marijuana. A significant rise in oral screening tests showed positive results for marijuana.
Drug testing in for the workplace can be a mild form of drug intervention for many people, as having to pass a test in order to get a job may be enough of a deterrent for people who are not heavy substance abusers or fully addicted yet.
