NCJ Number
179818
Journal
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 781-803
Date Published
December 1998
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Drug testing programs may be broadly classified as mandatory or nonmandatory, and the majority of employers in the United States have drug testing programs.
Abstract
In mandatory drug testing programs, a regulated employer is required by Federal regulations to test. In nonmandatory drug testing programs, an employer chooses to test for reasons other than Federal requirements. Drug testing programs are based on two fundamental assumptions: (1) There is a substance abuse problem in the workplace that needs to be addressed; and (2) Mandatory drug testing is a cost-effective component of an overall effort to address the drug problem. Federal employee drug testing directives are reviewed. The drug testing process is described in terms of proper urine specimen collection, custody and control, screening and analysis, and reporting of results. The role of the medical review officer (MRO) in the drug testing process and qualifications of MROs are examined. 9 references and 6 tables