History of Drug Tests

Drug tests have become very popular in the United States. Now there are a minimum of 15 huge businesses that provide lab testing. There are many situations where people want to utilize drug tests. The most popular would be an employer wanting to test possible or current employees or the worried parent that wants to monitor their child’s activity. Drug tests have become useful everywhere from the workplace to the doctor’s office.

Popularity Growth of Drug Tests
Around the middle of the 80’s drug tests started to become a lot more popular. The most frequent testing situation is definitely in the workplace. Employers started to get interested in this method in the mid 80’s. Since employees are sometimes granted privileged information and are working with heavy machinery, it’s important that all workers have a safe mind. Its best if the employer can prevent someone from causing the company a financial loss or workplace accident if possible. The fact that these drug test kits can bring back the results from the laboratory in a matter of a day or two was just amazing back then.

Present Popularity of Drug Tests
Now drug tests continue to be used regularly. In the workplace, it is still very common. However, professional athletes are starting to get tested regularly as well. The main drug that athletes are tested for is steroids but in general the tests look for performance enhancers. Even the government demands that athletes are tested. If an athlete fails a drug test,

they could be fined, suspended, or fired.
While it may seem unwarranted that drug tests are essential in the workplace, it makes sense that employers may want to stay safe. Some employees may take it personal that they have to go through drug tests but as an employee, you have to look at it from the employer’s point of view.