Oral fluid drug testing is a solid strategy for companies and industries to ensure productivity and safety in the workplace. After all, drug abuse remains a major concern on a global scale. In this article, we will look at the benefits of drug testing in your company, particularly through the use of an Instant drug saliva test.
Yes! Quality saliva drug tests (like the ones we carry at TestCountry.com) are up to 99% accurate, and are nearly impossible to cheat. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, since there is only so much you can observe, mouth swab tests can be viewed without any obstruction.
A saliva test can detect the same substances as urine, but with a slightly different detection period. The substances below include all the different ones you can test for, individually, or in combination with a multi panel saliva test.
Urine testing has historically been the "go-to" for instant drug testing, but the ease of use and accuracy of saliva testing is making it the preferred option, especially for workplace situations.
One of its primary benefits is protection from sample adulteration. Saliva drug testing eliminates the possibility of tampering the sample, unlike urine testing. For the latter, there have been instances where drug users would intentionally fake their test results by masking the sample with some solutions to make it appear negative with drugs.
Here are some of the advantages of implementing saliva drug testing in your business:
1. Compliance with requirements of the law
Some industries – like transportation, mining, and construction – require all employees to undergo drug testing. This is done to ensure that they do not only keep themselves safe but as well as others since they work serving the public and use of different types of machinery or heavy equipment. Although saliva isn't quite approved yet, it is often used by companies to supplement urine testing. There have been reports that saliva testing for DOT purposes is just around the corner (https://www.jjkeller.com/learn/news/112019/HHS-change-may-bring-saliva-drug-testing-to-DOT-rules)
2. Prevention of accidents and increase productivity
Substance use can lead to absenteeism, poor quality of work and carelessness. But when employees are monitored and allowed to be drug tested, it increases productivity. The saliva test requires minimal supervision, and avoids the awkwardness of watching someone provide you a with a urine sample.
3. Lower cost
Drug testing decreases a company’s health insurance premiums by decreasing drug-related illnesses. In addition, instant saliva tests are far less costly than lab based testing. The average on site saliva test is about $3/unit compared to the average lab test around $85. The great part about instant testing, is that you can always send the sample in for confirmation, if you need to be sure per policy requirements.
4. Employee awareness and accountability
By simply having a fair, yet enforceable drug testing protocol in place, companies can not only ensure the safety of the workplace, but just the thought of the possible drug test, often causes employees to think twice before dabbling.
The presence of drugs in the saliva may be detected within the following drug detection windows:
|
Drug Name |
Abbreviation |
Saliva Detection Time |
Saliva Cut-Off Level |
|
Alcohol |
ALC |
6-12 Hours |
50 ng/mL |
|
Amphetamines |
AMP |
1-3 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Barbiturates |
BAR |
3-5 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Benzodiazepines |
BZO |
1-3 Days |
10 ng/mL |
|
Buprenorphine |
BUP |
1-3 Days |
5 ng/mL |
|
Cocaine |
COC |
1-3 Days |
20 ng/mL |
|
Ecstasy |
MDMA |
1-3 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Fentanyl |
FEN |
1-3 Days |
10 ng/mL |
|
Marijuana |
THC |
6-12 Hours |
25 ng/mL |
|
Methadone |
MTD |
5-7 Days |
30 ng/mL |
|
Methamphetamine |
mAMP |
1-3 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Morphine |
MOR |
2-7 Days |
15 ng/mL |
|
Opiates |
OPI |
2-5 Days |
40 ng/mL |
|
Oxycodone |
OXY |
2-5 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Phencyclidine |
PCP |
1-3 Days |
10 ng/mL |
|
Propoxyphene |
PPX |
1-3 Days |
50 ng/mL |
|
Synthetic Marijuana |
K2 |
1-2 Days |
5 ng/mL |
|
Tramadol |
TRA |
12-24 Hours |
50 ng/mL |
|
Tricyclic Antidepressants |
TCA |
1-2 Days |
50 ng/mL |
One major advantage of choosing a saliva drug test is that collecting the saliva specimen is quick and easy. Rubbing the inside of the cheek helps stimulate saliva flow.
Saliva Drug Test Kit contains a saliva collection pad that is built into the end of the kit. The pad holds the device under the tongue until such time the saliva flows.
Saliva drug tests are designed to require less amount of saliva sample to help shorten the initial phase of the test. It has been proven that it provides faster results compared to other oral testing kits.
Another advantage of using oral fluid drug testing is the ability to easily detect marijuana:
There are many different types of saliva drug tests. Oral fluid drug testing with SalivaConfirm provides rapid results in high pressure, safety-sensitive situations. These tests are designed with mint-flavored color collection indicators to simplify the collection process.
It is difficult to adulterate a saliva drug test when collection takes place on the spot. Since results appear instantly, results can't be cheated.
Oral fluid drug testing can test for virtually every drug of abuse, including synthetic drugs like alcohol and fentanyl. The SalivaConfirm Premium-12 Panel can save employers money by combining drug testing and alcohol testing in one convenient kit.
To use a saliva drug test, place the sponge inside the cube and close the lid once the dyed indicator turns red. Once the sponge is compressed inside the cube, saliva will react with the built-in panels.
Staffing companies can offer pre-employment vetting services to make sure candidates are talented and credible. Since candidates cannot be screened online, staffing firms should use oral fluid drug testing.
As of January 2018, 25% of the United States workforce plans to hire new candidates for open positions. From this figure, only 56% of employers require pre-employment drug testing.
Choosing the wrong candidates can offset positive employment trends by causing employee turnover, increasing benefit expenses and inflating Worker’s Compensation Claims.
An influx of staffing and recruiting agencies indicates positive employment trends as more people seek work. Unfortunately, not every prospective seeker is suitable for hire. Use drug screening and background checks to narrow the selection.
Recruiting firm clients range from Mom and Pops to Corporate Goliaths. However, employer size is irrelevant when bad hires jeopardize workflow by creating unnecessary cost and stress. Pre-employment drug testing mitigate risk and provide long-term savings, helping firms convert clients into long-term relationships.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, drug abuse can cost business owners in the United States over $140 billion dollars a year. With that enormous amount of loss, one can just imagine how it can be devastating not only to business owners but as well as employees when the business suddenly closes down.
Some of the most common drugs abused include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, ecstasy, synthetic drugs, fentanyl and prescription drugs like opioids and oxycodone.
Drug users have various reasons why they got themselves hooked on drugs. The most common of them is that it has become their way of escape from reality, wherein all they feel is the “unusually high” that makes them extremely relaxed. Little are they aware that, although using these drugs can make them feel good, long-time use may lead to addiction, resulting in physical and psychological problems.
On a lighter note, studies have shown a decline in drug use within the workplace in recent years, especially after the implementation of drug testing.
Employers can issue saliva drug tests under the following circumstances (if documented on a workplace drug testing policy):
As part of the hiring process, companies require applicants to submit themselves to a drug test. This will ensure that they can become part of the company’s goal of providing a healthy and safe workplace.
This type of drug testing is the company’s means of preventing employee workplace drug abuse. It is found to be the most effective deterrent to employee workplace drug use. Implementing this kind of testing leaves the thought to the employees that they need to stay clean in order for them to keep their jobs.
For instances where an employee may have met an accident while working – particularly when dealing with heavy equipment – a drug test may be required to determine if drug use was the cause of the accident.
These are for employees who were found to be positive with drugs and who were sent for rehabilitation. If their company's written Drug-Free Workplace Policy allows for re-hire after a policy rule violation, this type of drug testing is required to ensure that the employee returns clean. It also eliminates the possibility of meeting another accident in the workplace.
To ensure that an employee remains drug-free, all suspended employees due to drug use need to submit themselves for this kind of drug testing.
