Drug Testing Throughout Society

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Drug testing has become a huge and lucrative business. According to a recent Ezine article, “with at least fifteen large U.S. corporations supplying laboratory testing, employees and others are only a few minutes’ drive from a testing facility.” The article goes on to say that drug testing ranges from employers who use drug testing as a pre-employment screening tool to parents who want to keep tabs on the well being of their teenagers. There are many groups that frequently use drug testing as a screening mechanism . As a student or person in the work force, it is very likely that one day you may be required to take a drug test. Should you be entitled to your privacy? Or, is it a matter of preventative measures and safety?

Drug testing on the job has become increasingly common in the past 4-5 years. Probably the group that is tested most often is prospective employees because of workplace safety legislation and the fact that employees can use dangerous equipment or have access to sensitive information. Because of this many corporations and employers want to be certain that their employees are not drug users. Drug testing can be conducted easily with the sample of urine, hair, blood or swab from the mouth. Positive or negative results can be attained within 24 to 48 hours.

In addition, drug abuse testing has been on the rise in the field of athletics. There have been controversies surrounding the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, and today athletes are under a great deal of scrutiny. The government has also become involved in the controversy. They have begun to enforce controls and screening of athletes. If an athlete tests positive on a drug test, the penalties can be fines, loss of game time, or complete d...

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...ent Drug Testing Programs Are Ineffective and Harmful." Opposing Viewpoints: School Policies. Ed. Jamuna Carroll. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. St. Louis Community College. 13 Nov. 2008 .

Oscar G. Bukstein. "Student Drug Testing Has Not Been Proven to Prevent Drug Abuse." At Issue: Drug Testing. Ed. Cindy Mur. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. St. Louis Community College. 13 Nov. 2008 .

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