Oregon recently made history when it became the first state to decriminalize possession of drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, and other hard drugs. Use of the drugs will no longer result in a criminal record, leading employers to wonder if they should update drug testing or hiring policies. According to Jared Rosenthal, founder, and CEO of Health Street, policies regarding drug testing will be up to individual company discretion and local laws, and Oregon-based companies and those living in the state are within their rights to screen the workforce for illicit drugs. He shared some considerations for employers regarding drug testing their workforce, including 1. Knowing local laws; 2. Understanding that tests won’t reveal if drugs were abused at work; 3. Employers can choose which drugs to test for; 4. Many drugs are still illegal federally; 5. Employee protections; and 6. Digital solutions.
