Positive workplace drug tests continue to climb nationally

Positive workplace drug tests across the nation were at their highest in a decade driven by drugs like pot, ADHD medicine and heroin, according to drug-testing laboratory Quest Diagnostics (Source: “Positive workplace drug tests at highest in a decade,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Sept. 16, 2016).

Quest performed more than 9.5 million workforce drug tests last year across the country and reported this week that 4 percent of those came back positive for drug use, an increase from 3.9 percent in 2014.

2015 was the third year positive tests increased after a steady decline from 13.6 percent in 1988 to 3.5 percent in 2012. In three years, the percentage has nearly crept back to the 2005 rate of 4.1 percent. A similiar increase has been observed by Quest in other types of drug tests, including oral fluid, blood and hair.

Marijuana continues to be the most prevalent drug detected in all types of tests, followed by illicit use of amphetamines, such as Ritalin and Adderal prescribed for attention deficit disorder, and heroin. Since 2011, marijuana positivity in urine drug tests has increased 26 percent while amphetamines increased 44 percent and heroin 146 percent. Positive heroin results from urine tests for safety-sensitive employees, like truck drivers, has risen 84 percent since 2011.