If you are considering the implementation of a drug testing program for your home or workplace, but are hesitant to take the next step, you should first apprise yourself of some important drug testing facts. The issue of drug testing has at times been a controversial one, which means that misinformation has long been disseminated in support of, or in opposition to, drug testing program. The abundance of myth, misconceptions, and assumptions regarding drug testing muddles what should be a clear cut issue, which makes gaining an education about drug testing facts crucial.

One critical drug testing fact to keep in mind is that the phenomenon of false positives, or situations when one substance which is legal is detected as an illegal drug, is widely overblown. While false positives did occur frequently in the 1980’s, as drug testing programs were in their infancy, the fact remains that today’s drug testing is extremely reliable, precise and accurate. Depending on the type of drug testing kit you utilize, from urinalysis to hair follicle to saliva testing, you can be assured of a 99% accuracy rate if the test is administered correctly.

Another important fact about drug testing is its effectiveness in deterring children and adults alike from beginning a drug habit. While drug education programs provide people with a full picture of the consequences of drug use, they lack the tangible motivation necessary to prevent it. The facts about drug testing are clear when it comes to prevention: workplaces, schools, and households which institute drug testing programs experience a significant reduction in the rate of drug use. A testing program which utilizes regular drug testing and in conjunction with random testing leaves no margin for error and the decision to abstain from illicit substances is made much easier.

The facts about drug testing indicate that the majority of people will abandon a drug habit if faced with the prospect of a failed drug test. Those who choose to continue using drugs will be detected and their employment can be terminated. This is important when assessing another fact about drug testing, which is the cost to benefit ratio involved in implementing a testing program. Drug testing kits come at a marginal cost when compared to the significant gains in productivity and quality of work which are produced by a drug free workforce. This ability to increase the effectiveness of an office, branch, or business is one drug testing fact to consider above all others, because the benefits are shared by both employers and their employees.