It is no secret that the vast majority of drug-abusers are employed. And it should come as no surprise that, if left unchecked, abuse can cost employers billions each year on everything from healthcare costs to lost productivity. In terms of drug testing, there are two distinct worlds – one that applies to industries regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and a non-regulated industry, also known as Non-DOT drug testing. The timing and type of testing is left up to the discretion of the employer. A Non-DOT test can consist of a five-drug panel or could be expanded to a 10-panel test to include things like barbiturates, benzodiazepines and methadone. Testing could be conducted for pre-employment, at random times, post-accident or for reasonable suspicion.
