Health-Insurance: The Need for Pre-Employment Drug Testing

Employers have many reasons for requiring pre-employment drug
testing. One of the most obvious reasons is that of safety. Those
handling dangerous equipment or those who drive commercial vehicles
have a greater chance of accidents or inflicting injury upon
themselves or others if they are under the influence. Companies have
a moral and legal obligation to ensure that their employees adhere
to Federal work-safety guidelines, and pre-employment drug
screenings can be an effective tool.

Insurance and health-related absences provide two more reasons for
implementing pre-employment drug testing. More than 175 million
Americans are enrolled in workplace group health insurance; with an
average of a 30% increase in premiums in the last three years,
pre-employment drug testing may be one way to cut down on costs.
Studies have linked short- and long-term health problems with drug
abuse. Drug abusers are more likely to develop respiratory problems
and are generally more susceptible to illness. Employers often view
drug abusers as irresponsible since many absences can be attributed
to the after-effects of drug usage. Employee absences cost employers
millions of dollars every year, and many human resource experts
suggest that pre-employment drug testing can reduce these costs.