Pre-Employment Drug Screening Impact Analysis

This technical report examines the correlation between pre-employment drug screening and post-accident drug positivity rates, particularly in the context of trends observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The First Advantage Strategic Consulting Team analyzed aggregate customer data, revealing that many organizations paused their pre-employment drug screening programs to expedite candidate onboarding. Concurrently, there was a notable increase in positive results from post-accident drug testing across various industries. For instance, the Transportation sector saw a rise in positivity rates from 2.3% in 2019 to 4.1% in 2020. The report further discusses the implications of foregoing pre-employment drug screening, suggesting that it may serve as a deterrent for drug use among employees. It also highlights the financial impact of substance use disorders on employers, referencing significant costs associated with lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses. The findings aim to inform organizations about the potential risks and costs related to substance use in the workplace.