Regarding the process:

Regarding general drug testing questions:

Regarding donor rights:

Regarding positive tests:

• Is the process controlled and confidential?

  Yes.  Specimens are collected at the collection site and processed through a National Institute of Drug Abuse (N.I.D.A.) approved laboratory.  To guard against tampering, a legal chain-of-custody procedure is followed.  To assure donors confidentiality, specimen containers are carefully identified by an assigned coding systems, referred to as the chain-of-custody number.  The results are then reported using the same coding system.  A medical review officer (MRO) reviews all D.O.T. specimens as well as any positive results.

• What information do they put on the forms that go with my sample?

  D.O.T. testing requires a special form that is designed to provide anonymity for the donor and will not have your name on it (for the laboratory copy).  For all other testing, a similar form is used, but typically has the donor name on the laboratory copy.  While the collector does typically as for your social security number, you are not required by law to give it, for either D.O.T. or any other testing.  The purpose of putting your social security number on the test is to give you a number that you can confirm in case any questions arise, especially if you have prescriptions, as the MRO must verify your identity before discussing results.  If you are uncomfortable giving your social security number, I.D. numbers from federal or state issued forms of identification are another viable option for you to use (i.e. your driver's license or I.D. card number).

• May donors be required to strip, wear a hospital gown, or empty pockets?

  You do not have to strip or wear a gown.  The D.O.T.'s procedures state:  "The collection site person shall ask the individual to remove any unnecessary outer garments such as a coat or jacket that might conceal items or substances that could be used to tamper with or adulterate the individual's specimen.  The collection site person shall insure that all personal belongings such as a purse or briefcase remain with the outer garments.  The individual may retain his or her wallet."  (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40)

  It should be noted that a collection site person may ask the donor to empty their pockets, display the items, and either leave their belongings with the collector, again, the individual may retain his or her wallet.  This does not mean an individual may keep a purse or other sort of bag with them during the collection.  The collection site person will provide a secure area for individuals to place their personal belongings.

  It should also be noted that it is permissible to have an observed collection if the employer requests, with a sound reason, or if there is a suspicion of tampering.

• Should I avoid taking foods or medicines before the test?

  If you are taking prescribed medications for a specific condition, you should continue taking it.  You will be given the opportunity to advise the MRO of this fact.  As for food and drink, there's no reason not to eat and drink as usual.

• What if I just can't "go" right then (shy bladder)?  Can I just go home and come back later?

  If the donor is unable to provide a specimen initially, fluids are provided, with the dual objective of assisting the willing donor and encouraging the non-willing donor.  There is no option for the donor to leave teh site and ocme back at a later time.  Only if the donor is still unable to provide a complete specimen do additional procedures come into play (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40).

  The donor is not required to drink the fluids provided.  According to D.O.T. guidelines (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40), the donor is allowed 3 hours from the time the first specimen is provided to provide a complete specimen.  If the donor is unable to provide another specimen in the time allotted, there is a procedure to verify a medical condition.  If the donor is unwilling to provide a specimen, then it is considered a refusal to test which is treated the same as a positive.

• What if I am physically unable to provide a specimen?

  Specific documentation of the individual's medical condition, including the fact that he or she is unable to provide a urine specimen, should be obtained and furnished to the employer.  The MRO should, after a thorough examination of the individual's circumstance, notify the employer that the individual cannot provide a urine specimen (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40).

• How reliable is drug testing?

When both screening and confirmatory tests are conducted, the combined tests themselves become virtually 100% dependable.  Most testing is automatically set up to do both the screening and confirmatory types of tests.

• What is GC/MS confirmation?

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) is an extremely accurate procedure that identifies each chemical compound on the basis of its unique molecular structure and can determine a quantitative level of any positive drugs in the specimen provided for testing.

• What are the different types of methods used to drug test?

Urine, saliva, and hair are three of the most commonly used methods to detect drug use.  Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

Urine is generally considered the standard because this has been used as the method of drug testing for several years.  Saliva is developing quite rapidly as an alternative to testing due to its less intrusive nature.  Hair testing offers the option of viewing a longer detection time for drugs.

Please see Detection Times for a list of what substances can be tested in the different methods and the average amount of time after use that the substance can be detected.

• Do employers have the right to require that employees be tested for drugs and alcohol?

Yes for both drugs and alcohol, but it has to be done fairly.

• What are the applicable laws?

Federally regulated employees must adhere to guidelines established by the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.).

Company policy largely determines the guidelines for non-D.O.T. testing.  Laws in some states restrict the use of instant testing devices.

• Who establishes the cut off levels?

If you are under the jurisdiction of D.O.T., the you must follow the D.O.T. regulations and cut off levels.  If not, then it is up to the employer.

• Is testing for additional drugs authorized?  Must a separate specimen be obtained?

If a company does not have employees that fall under D.O.T. jurisdiction, it is up to the company what drugs are to be tested.  If a company has employees that fall under D.O.T. jurisdiction and want to establish a program that tests beyond the five drugs currently required must make a clear distinction to their employees what testing is required by D.O.T. authority and what testing is required by the company.  Additionally, employers must insure that a separate specimen collection process including a separate act of urination is used to obtain specimens for company testing programs (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40).

• Is the collection of blood authorized?  Can blood test results be used to take D.O.T.-required administrative actions?

D.O.T. does not authorize the collection of blood for drug testing, except Post-Accidents for those who fall under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).  Therefore, while a company under its own authority may require a blood specimen to be collected and tested for drugs and/or alcohol under certain circumstances, it is not acceptable for the company-required blood specimen to be supported by the same custody and control form that accompanies a D.O.T.-required urine specimen (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40).

If a urine specimen for a D.O.T. reasonable cause test is rejected for testing at the laboratory, results from a blood test collected in accordance with a company policy could be used to take action against an employee depending upon the drug testing policy established by that company.  Under no circumstances, however, can the result of the blood test be used to take administrative or disciplinary action against an employee using D.O.T. authority for the reasons cited above.

• What are the turn-around times for the test results to come back?

Typically, results come back in 24 to 48 hours from the time the lab receives the specimen.  Tests that are deemed positive from the laboratory, whether caused by prescription or not, tend to take a longer amount of time to come back, up to 72 to 96 hours from the time the lab receives the specimen, due to the need for further testing at the laboratory and time for the MRO to contact the donor and discuss the results.  Around nationally recognized holidays and during some weather emergencies (depending on where the laboratory is located), results may take a longer than normal time, but this delay usually does not exceed 24 to 48 hours past the normal reporting time.

• What should I do if someone I work with has a drug problem?

That's a question you have to answer for yourself.  But you owe it to yourself, the people who work with you, and the person with the problem to seriously consider discussing it with your supervisor, safety manager, or other managerial person.  Whether or not you discuss it with the person who has the problem depends to a great extent on your relationship with that person.  Most of the time it's not advisable.  A person with a serious problem, whether it's drugs or alcohol, usually needs professional help.

• Can I go to management for assistance if I have a drug or alcohol problem?  What would happen?

That depends on your company and its Policies and Procedures.  Ask the person in charge of yourtesting program.

What kinds of tests would I have to take?  What drugs would be tested for?

Your employer has the right to set up a testing program for illicit drugs and/or alcohol and drug abuse.  Under most circumstances, the types of tests, the drugs tested for, and the cut-off levels can all be determined by your employer except in cases of D.O.T.-mandated testing.  However, the manner in which the testing is required may be (and in many cases, is) regulated by both Federal and State governments.  Most companies use the same cut-off levels that the government sets (required for all testing falling under D.O.T. jurisdiction), however, some companies due use L.O.D.  L.O.D. is the lowest level of detection that the laboratory is able to test.  As technology improves, laboratories are able to test at lower and lower levels.  Many of the drugs being tested are now able to be tested at near zero levels.

• Is drug testing an invasion of privacy?

If the program is properly administered and within Federal and State law and guidelines, the courts have determined that drug testing is not an invasion of privacy.  The primary factor (among others) with respect to court decisions is the welfare and safety of others.

• What is a MRO?

A MRO, Medical Review Officer, is a doctor who reviews drug test results to determine possible prescription interactions, conducts an interview with the donor (typically via the telephone) to discuss positive results, and discusses any questions regarding the testing process with a laboratory toxicologist.

• What qualifications is the MRO required to have?

The MRO shall be a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders.  GlobalLab's MROs are certified through the American Association of Medical Review Officers, complete courses and seminars related to drug testing to remain current with all information in the testing process, and meet all requirements for D.O.T. compliance.

• Are my records truly confidential?

Your employer and your MRO are required by law to keep test result records confidential, in a safe, restricted place.  Testing records cannot be released to others without your consent.  Exceptions to these requirements are limited to:

-D.O.T. agencies when license or certificate actions are required.

-The decision-maker in arbitration, litigation, or administrative proceedings when an employee initiates a grievance, lawsuit, or other action relating to test results.  This includes unemployment and worker's compensation.

• What rights do I have in a testing program?

Your basic rights extend primarily to the right to privacy and the right to question the legitimacy of a test result.  You may have additional rights depending on your individual circumstances as well as State and local regulations.

• What happens if I decline to be tested?

Most company drug testing "Policies and Procedures" call for some form of disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.  D.O.T. guidelines consider a refusal to test the same as a positive test (D.O.T. 49 CFR Part 40).

• What does testing "positive" mean?  What does testing "negative" mean?

Testing laboratories use "cutoff limits" to determine if a specimen is positive or negative.  D.O.T. and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have established cutoff limit guidelines for both alcohol and drug testing.  A negative result indicates the level of a drug or alcohol being tested for is either not present or is below the cutoff limit.  A positive result indicates the substance is present at a level above the cutoff limit.  It is important to note that all test results go through a MRO.  The MRO reviews the test results, and in the case of a "positive" test, notifies the donor and discusses possible prescription interactions.  If there is a valid prescription causing the "positive," the MRO will change the result to a verified negative and the company will receive a "negative" drug test result.

• Can a donor test positive for secondhand smoke?

No.  Research experiments have been conducted that expose nonsmoking individuals to heavy concentrations of marijuana smoke in confined quarters.  The nonsmoking individuals could not absorb enough smoke, even after several hours of exposure, to cause a positive result in subsequent urinalysis.

No.  Even for hair testing, secondhand smoke will not cause a positive for two reasons.  The first reason is because the lab sends the hair sample through a cleaning process that eliminates environmental contamination.  The second reason is because even if someone does have the "parent" drug in their hair follicles, the laboratory will not deem the result positive if there is no metabolite of the drug present (meaning there has to be evidence that the drug was ingested).

• What will be done to me if I test positive?

Study your company's Policies and Procedures carefully as it should state in there the consequences of testing positive, which can include termination.

• What can I do if I'm wrongfully accused?

In the case of D.O.T. tests you can request, in writing, a re-test, as explained to you by the MRO during your interview.  You will not be permitted to provide a new specimen.  The secondary specimen taken at the time of donation will be opened and tested to confirm or refute the first positive report.  You will normally have to pay for this retest.  Please note that you only have 72 hours from the time you are notified of the result to request a retest.

• What is a "false" positive, and how can they occur?

This is probably the most confusing issue regarding drug testing.  Simply put, the tests are very accurate.  If during screening, they detect a drug, it is sent for confirmation through GC/MS.  If the drug detected is caused by a prescription the donor is taking from doctor's orders, it is a negated positive and reported as a verified negative.  Some over-the-counter medications will screen positive, but the confirmation tests will rule out any illicit substances.  What is generally called a "false" positive is simply a result which has not yet been confirmed.

• What level of drug in the urine indicated that an individual is impaired?

Physical impairment according to a given level is not the issue.  The issue is whether or not illegal drugs are being used at all, and whether or not drug and alcohol abuse is taking place.  Also, due to varying individual metabolic rates, the amount of drug ingested, and the concentration or strength of the drug ingested, there is no scientific correlation to allow one to determine by the level if an individual is impaired.