Drug Screening - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Questions and Answers (Q&As)

	Is employee drug testing legal?
	What should be included in a drug testing policy?
	Is urine drug testing accurate and reliable?
	What factors determine whether actual drug use will be detected?
	Is it possible to beat a drug test?

	What's the procedure for collecting a urine specimen for lab-based testing?
	What's the procedure for lab-based testing of a urine specimen?
	What's different about DOT drug testing?
	What's different about a Rapid drug test?

	What happens if an applicant declines to be tested?
	What happens if an applicant is unable to provide a urine specimen at the time of the test?
	What if the applicant is legally using a prescription drug?
	What if the subject claims that a positive test result for marijuana traces to second-hand  smoke?

	How much do drug screens cost?
	Can any company or organization open an account with AccuSearch?
	Are there any sign-up fees or monthly fees or minimums?
	How do I set up an account?
	How do I initiate a drug screen?
	Why allow only 24 hours to donate a specimen?
	How and when will I be billed?

1. Is employee drug testing legal?
Any employer can set up a testing program for illicit drug use and/or alcohol abuse, provided that it is administered fairly and in accordance with federal and state laws. Some states impose restrictions, however an employer can generally execute drug testing if it has a written drug testing policy that requires employees and job applicants to be drug-free. For example, some states mandate drug screens for healthcare workers and employees operating certain machinery or vehicles, food handlers and security personnel. Keep in mind that union employees are protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) which mandates that private sector employers must bargain collectively over terms and conditions of employment. With respect to screening job applicants though, employers enjoy more freedom. However, be certain to preserve the privacy of individuals by always protecting confidential information.

2. What should be included in a drug testing policy?

	Your policy statement should cover three topics: justification, prohibitions and penalties.
	1 Justification - Begin by explaining your organization’s commitment to protecting the safety,  health and well-being of employees, customers, vendors and the general public. 2 Prohibitions - Define the prohibited behavior broadly. Do not include limitations such as  “use and possession” or “on the job,” for example. And be sure to cover the misuse of  prescription drugs and the abuse of alcohol. 3 Penalties - Outline what actions will be taken if an employee or applicant fails to pass a drug test. Reserve the right to take adverse action in response to a first offense. Impose the  same penalty for a “refusal to test” as for a confirmed, positive test. Disallow reapplication  for employment only for a reasonable period of time.
	Effectively communicate your policy.
	1 Include your policy in your employee manual or handbook and in your job application form. Display it prominently in the workplace. 2 If you plan to test only employees in “safety-sensitive” positions, advise those affected prior to implementing testing.

3. Is urine drug testing accurate and reliable?
Yes, provided that 2-stage testing is conducted: Initial screening (immunoassay) followed by confirmatory testing.

4. What factors determine whether actual drug use will be detected?
Drugs affect people differently, so drug testing results are always unique to the individual. A person’s age, sex, body mass, overall health, metabolic rate and tolerance can affect results. So too, can a number of other factors, including the strength of the drug, the amount consumed, the method of consumption, frequency of use, and time since last use.

5. Is it possible to beat a drug test?
The only foolproof way to pass a drug test is to avoid using drugs. Lab-based tests check for the presence of substances intended to alter test results. If any are found, the test is ruled inconclusive. By drinking lots of water, a subject might succeed in diluting his or her specimen, but collectors test for possible dilution and if confirmed, require the subject to remain onsite until (s)he is able to provide another sample for retesting. Occasionally, a subject will attempt to substitute a counterfeit urine specimen or other liquid, but this too can be detected.

1. What’s the procedure for collecting a urine specimen for lab-based testing?
The employer must provide the subject with a “chain of custody” form (COC) supplied by AccuSearch. This form is used to properly identify the sample and to track it throughout the testing process. Upon arrival at the clinic, the subject must present the COC. A person who is trained in the collection process will escort the subject to a bathroom where (s)he can provide a urine specimen in privacy. The collector will then ask the subject to sign the COC while the collector seals and labels the specimen. The collector will then send the sample and the COC, on which each step of the process has been documented, to a certified drug testing laboratory.

2. What’s the procedure for lab-based testing of a urine specimen?
Sealed specimens are first examined and tested for possible adulteration, then subjected to two separate tests. If results of an initial screening (immunoassay) are positive for one or more drugs, then a second, confirmatory test (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) is conducted for each drug showing up in the sample. This confirmation test, which is more sensitive and specific, helps determine whether substances are present at cutoff levels or above and whether over-the-counter medicines can be ruled out as possible causes of positive test results. Results from both tests must be positive in order for a positive result to be reported.

3. What’s different about DOT drug testing?
DOT tests differ in several respects.

	The collector must be a Certified Specimen Collector of the same sex as the subject.
	The urine specimen must be split in two, and both bottles sent to the laboratory. The first specimen is used for the initial screening and confirmatory tests, while the second specimen bottle remains sealed and stored at the laboratory for 30 days.
	Cut-off levels are lower than those used for non-mandated tests.
	Test results are sent directly to the MRO for a review of any use of prescription drugs.
	In the event that test results are positive, the subject may request that the stored specimen also be analyzed (additional fees will apply)

4. What’s different about a Rapid drug test?
Rapid drug tests enable quick communication of negative test results (i.e., no prohibited substances are found to be present in the sample). The collector first pours a portion of the specimen into a vial, then seals the vial for further testing later, if necessary. Next, the collector conducts initial screening on the specimen. If initial screening test results are inconclusive, the collector will send the sealed vial to a lab for confirmatory testing, at added expense.

1. What happens if an applicant declines to be tested?
Most drug testing policies specify that a “refusal to test” will be treated as a positive outcome, calling for some form of disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

2. What happens if an applicant is unable to provide a urine specimen at the time of the test?
The subject should remain onsite and consume measured fluids until such a time as (s)he is able to provide a sufficient sample.

3. What if the applicant is legally using a prescription drug?
Some prescribed drugs can interfere with the initial screening test. When this occurs, the specimen is automatically tested using a methodology that will identify the drug type. Any subject may present a doctor’s prescription for review by medical professionals.

4. What if the subject argues that a positive test result for marijuana traces to second-hand smoke inhalation?
Studies have proven that this is not a defensible explanation.

1. How much do drug screens cost?
AccuSearch charges $35 for a 5-panel lab-based drug test that is added to any pre-employment screening package, and $40 for a drug test alone. A 10-panel lab-based drug test can be added to any background screening package for $40 ($45 for a standalone 10-panel test).

2. Can any company or organization open an account with AccuSearch?
The company or organization must:

	be a legitimate entity;
	supply evidence of its right to conduct business;
	forecast the need for at least 10 drug screens over the next 12 months; and
	Test results are sent directly to the MRO for a review of any use of prescription drugs.
	agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in our Consumer Report User Agreement.

3. Are there any sign-up fees or monthly fees or minimums?
No. There is no cost to set up or maintain an AccuSearch account.

4. How do I set up an account
You must first submit a New Account Application. When you click on Open an Account we will ask for information about your company and primary contact, plus we will ask you to read and agree to the terms and conditions of our Consumer Report User Agreement. Once you’ve submitted your New Account Application online, you will be instructed to fax us a copy of an official document that proves your organization’s right to conduct business, such as a business license. This is required as part of our authentication and verification process. Once we have completed our due diligence, typically within 24 hours, we will contact you to confirm account set-up and to provide orientation.

	Print our Request and Release
	1 Complete, sign and date page 1 (“Request”). This tells us exactly which services you are requesting for this applicant. It might help to consult our Price List when making your selections. 2 Give your applicant pages 2-4   Page 2 (“Release”) - Instruct your applicant to read the notice, sign the acknowledgment and authorization, provide the personal information requested and return the signed form to you. Page 3 is a separate notice for applicants who are residents of California. Page 4 is the FTC document, “A Summary of Your Rights under the FCRA.”
	Submit your order one of two ways. During orientation you will be asked to designate which method you prefer.
	1 You can enter orders online. The advantage of entering your orders online is this: the sooner an order gets in the queue, the sooner we can begin processing it.   In AccuSearch Online, our web-based system that makes it easy to enter and track screening orders, enter your applicant’s personal information and indicate which drug screening service you are requesting. Fax to AccuSearch your Request (page 1) and the applicant’s signed Release (page 2). 2 If necessary, AccuSearch can enter your order for you. Fax to AccuSearch your Request (page 1) and the applicant’s signed Release (page 2).
	Direct your applicant to AccuSearch-Phoenix or another collection site.
	1 Click on Collection Sites to view site options. Select “Drug / alcohol screening” “For a non-regulated employer,” unless you require DOT testing, and check “Urine Drug Screen.” 2 If you have selected a site other than AccuSearch’s Phoenix office, you will need to provide your applicant a chain of custody form (supplied by AccuSearch). Tell your applicant to visit the collection site within 24 hours and to bring the chain of custody form and a state-issued photo I.D.

6. Why allow only 24 hours to donate a specimen?
Since the only surefire way for an abuser to pass a drug screen is to let enough time pass for any drugs to be metabolized, we recommend that employers require applicants to appear for a drug screen within 24 hours of notification.

7. How and when will I be billed?
Shortly after month-end, AccuSearch will send to your designated billing contact an email that includes a link to an AccuSearch Online invoice. You or your A/P agent can view detailed invoices online 24/7 by clicking on the “Invoicing” tab then specifying a time range.
Payment is due upon receipt of invoice. AccuSearch accepts all major credit cards. For added convenience, we can keep card information on file and automatically charge your card each month.

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