Business Solutions: The Hair Drug Test
How On-Site Hair Drug Tests Can Help Small Business
A drug test is an analysis of a biological specimen that can ascertain the presence of specific drugs in the body. The initial tests that employers could use required the biological specimen to be saliva, blood or urine and could test only illegal substances like marijuana, opiates like heroin and codeine, amphetamine and PCP. Over time drug testing methods have improved to include hair drug test technology. This type of test has kept up with cutting edge advances like the ability to detect semi-synthetic pain killers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, benzodiazepines (such as Valium and Xanax).
A hair follicle drug test uses a small hair sample from the body. The detection period for this test is much higher than that of other tests that are done using the saliva or urine specimen. A home hair drug test can detect marijuana and other abusive substances up to 90 days after consumption. In comparison, single use of PCP in urine can be detected till up to a period of 3 to 7 days.
A hair drug test measures the amount of drug present in the hair follicles by measuring the amount of drug molecules or drug metabolites that can be found as traces in the hair. These traces form when the metabolized drug moves in the blood stream and is used to nourish the hair follicle.
Given that the hair test can detect for abusive substances within a larger window, these are generally used in businesses that have no tolerance of drug abuse. There is very little that subjects can do to fool it because the hair sample drug test requires a small amount of specimen for the testing to take place. This means that the hair specimen can be taken from any part of the body, be it facial hair, under the arms, or on the legs or the arms, and of course from the head. Trying to shave your head in anticipation of the test is therefore not likely to help you evade the consequences unless you are ready to remove all hair from your body.
While you can hire a laboratory to do the testing for you, the commercial market also offers a home hair drug test designed for employer use, also known as an on-site hair drug test. Such kits are both time and money savers, particularly for small businesses. On-site kits that particularly target businesses come with extra features - such as a Custody and Control Form that can be signed off on by the employer, employee, and Medical Review Officer who reviews the results. They also include instructions on how to become a Trained Hair Collector, so that both you and your employee can be confident that the sample is being taken correctly.
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Hair tests are being used in many organizations these days. Given the relation between office thefts, violence and sexual harassment at the workplace with drug abuse, corporate offices are now taking proactive steps to avoid hiring those who have a drug abuse history. The fact that a hair follicle drug test is completely non-invasive and low cost and covers a large number of drugs makes it a drug test that is being used by many companies.