The value of workplace drug testing

When it comes to business, the bottom line is always the bottom line. According to numerous studies, the cost of workplace substance abuse affects companies’ bottom line to the tune of billions of dollars annually. To ignore the problem and not conduct drug testing would not be a wise business decision. Yes, drug testing is a business expense—but one that can result in a positive return on investment (ROI) for employers.

Your business’s operations and reputation are built on certainty—knowing that your people can deliver on demanding projects and meet rigorous requirements. FMCS XPRESS LABS provides comprehensive and flexible drug testing options designed to support employer drug-free workplace policies.

We also offer a valuable, easy-to-use Drug Testing Savings Calculator to help employers across virtually any industry understand how drug testing can result in a positive ROI. This tool walks employers through calculating potential savings and highlights possible returns on investment tied to a compliant drug testing program.

It has been more than 30 years since the enactment of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, which requires drug and alcohol testing of certain safety-sensitive employees in the transportation industry, such as truck drivers and airline pilots. In the early days, many employers questioned whether drug testing could truly help create safer and more productive workplaces.

Decades later, those questions have been answered.

Employers now conduct tens of millions of government-mandated and non-mandated drug tests annually, and the evidence is clear: drug testing works. The federal government promotes workplace drug testing as a means to prevent and deter employee drug use, and numerous studies support this conclusion.

That said, understanding the true cost of workplace substance abuse—and how it compares to the cost of a comprehensive drug-free workplace program—can be complex. The Drug Testing Savings Calculator helps employers make sense of those numbers.

Workplace drug testing remains a critical tool. Analysis of recent workforce trends shows that positive drug test results have increased in recent years, reinforcing the need for strong, well-designed drug-free workplace programs.

Let’s look at the scope of the problem:

• 59.3 million Americans aged 12 and older admit to using illicit drugs annually
   
• 138.5 million report current alcohol use
   
• 61.6 million are binge drinkers
   
• 17.7 million are classified as heavy drinkers
   

• Approximately 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder are employed, equating to roughly 15% of the workforce
   

Substance abuse impacts every industry, including transportation, construction, manufacturing, and professional services. Industries with the highest reported rates include:

• Mining – 17.5%
   
• Construction – 16.5%
   
• Accommodation & Food Services – 11.8%
   
• Arts, Entertainment & Recreation – 11.5%
   
• Utilities – 10.3%
   

• 22.5% of employees admit to using drugs or alcohol at work
   
• 14.7% of remote workers and 3.3% of on-site workers report being under the influence weekly
   

National drug testing data shows workforce positivity rates reached their highest levels since 2001, increasing more than 30% compared to historic lows from 2010–2012.

• Nearly one-third of Americans who drink alcohol increased consumption
   
• Nearly 30% of drug users reported increased use since the pandemic
   

Each substance-abusing employee costs an employer an average of $8,817 per year in lost productivity, accidents, turnover, and related expenses.