Drug Testing: Is it Really Necessary in the Workplace?

You know I think it's human nature for people to believe the best about people. I especially think this is true for smaller businesses who have few employees and who have personally interviewed their employees. These employers have formed an opinion and by hiring the person showed they have trust in that employee. But can you really tell a book by it's cover? Can you really tell if a person does or doesn't do drugs by your interview and gut instinct?

I ask this because it's been my personal experience as the owner of a drug testing business that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Take this for example: I recently did an onsite testing with an office of about 25 people. This was a reputable business with professional looking employees. As we went in and set up for this random drug test of 25 employees, literally 5 employees went to the supervisor and admitted they had recently used marijuana or methamphetamine. That's one in five employees, folks, who admitted drug use. Even I was surprised by that number. So, if you think you can tell by looking at someone whether or not they use, I say, don't judge a book by its cover.

Drug Testing in a Bad Economy

Wow, what a day! What a week! Yes, I'm thankful to have the business! At the same time I have to share some of the stories I hear from the folks who come in to drug test. Person after person is telling me about their last job that has just laid off the majority of their workforce. Local powerhouses like Ken Small Construction and Gene Watston Construction, Chevron, have all laid off many many people. The auto industry, companies in Bakersfield like Mercedes Benz and others have laid off more than half of their workforce. Even sales people have been downsized dramatically.

Still, these folks are in my office because they are testing for a new job. So, the good news is not every business is in the hole. What industries are these that are still hiring? Real estate offices, oil-field related support companies like Well-Head Testing and construction. Why are some businesses within the same field doing well, while others are not? What's making the difference between one construction services company and another? My opinion is the service. I believe the company's who will make it through this economy are those that have a reputation for excellent service, who are flexible and can assimilate to what their customers are looking for and able to pay. I think this is a great time for small business owners, entreprenuers looking to find their nitch. But it's going to take hard work, outstanding marketing, and flexibility.

One thing about it never changes, the rehabilitation programs and sober living homes have no lack of work or "clients." It's important for every business owner and parent to realize that a major trigger for drug and/or alcohol abuse is the loss of a job or inability to find work. Getting high or drunk is an attempt to escape that pain and depression for just a little while. So as tight as money may be, don't give up your drug testing programs. Now may be more important than ever to keep that program up. Remember that we are able to help you keep your program rolling without watching your bankroll roll out the door. Give us a call today - 631-2444, where we help businesses find solutions to their drug testing costs.

Youth Substance Use Declines

Great News! Last month, during Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness month, the SAMSHA presented new data that shows a drop in illicit drug use among youth! But are we really making progress on teen drug use? According to the SAMHSA 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), findings showed usage declined for nearly every type of drug, including marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, pain relievers, stimulants, and methamphetamine. Prescription drug misuse remains a concern however. Interestingly, data also showed an increase in drug use among 50- to 59-year-olds.

The level of alcohol use also dropped among 12- to 17-year-olds, from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 15.9 percent in 2007. “These new, recently declining rates in alcohol use among the youngest participants in the survey may be a leading indicator of an emerging pattern consistent with the goals of the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking,” Dr. Broderick said. See the SAMSHA website at http://www.samsha.org/ for more information on this article.

So, are those efforts by parents and the community really making the difference? And what component is most effective? Prevention, early education, drug testing? Do we have those local community DARE programs to thank for a decrease in teen drug and alcohol use? What's working in your community?

In Kern County, California it's been a joint effort of community partners coming together to pool their resources and communicate information about programs, resources and youth. I'm interested in what's working in your community?

Drug Abuse In America

Hi! Welcome to Drug Test Solutions & ID Screenings blog! We are learning as we go, so bear with us! We have been in business in Bakersfield approaching a year and the word is slowly getting out that we are here. So far we've been able to help many of the sober living homes in Bakersfield save quite a lot of money on ther instant drug tests that they use to drug test their clients. There's no place in town that can beat our prices on instant drug tests or collections. In fact, you are hard pressed to beat our prices even online at the low minimums we sell at. On top of that, we invoice customers and provide personal service. What more can a business ask?

Many people ask me, how I got here, why I opened this business? Well, I really think life leads you in directions, doors open and doors close and this door opened for me and I decided to walk in. A change in career facilitated the opportunity and voila! here I am. Lots of experience in the field definitely helped. Drug Testing, Drug Education, and DNA Testing were part of my previous career, so it only made sense to move my new career in this direction. Not to mention my own personal experience living with a child who struggled with substance abuse for a short time. What a frustrating, infuriating, helpless time that was. I wish I had known about this business then. But more about that later......My biggest learning curve with the business has been learning the marketing piece of owning a business. The busienss of sales is a very different type of skill. Luckily I have the gift of gab and I am not shy. So once I really knew my business like the back of my hand, I was able to talk to anyone about it because I was so excited about it! I really believe that is the secret to success - being excited about your product. To me it's not sales, it's sharing information about something I think everyone can use to make their life easier or better.

Another tip that is vital to getting your business off the ground is to find a mentor in a similar business. My mentor has been instrumental in the progress I have made until now and is still vital to my confidence and success. The other unavoidable action, in my opinion, is finding at least one network of people who can provide friendship, community, support and subsequently, referrals. I can't say enough about a group I have joined called BNI. This concept is international and basically consists of the idea that the more people who know and trust what you do, the more referrals you will receive based on those people recommending you to others. And you know what? It works - better than advertising in a magazine, newspaper, etc. Word of mouth is the key! Plus you make so many friends and acquaintances and learn about businesses you never knew existed.

Well, this is my beginning, more to follow......we'll talk about our many many services designed to protect business owners and families....talk to you soon!!

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