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Philadelphia is one US city that shares a rich history and character. It is also known as the City of Brotherly Love or the Birthplace of America. With an eclectic and diverse culture, the city has captured the hearts of locals and far-flung visitors alike.
Whenever Philadelphia comes to mind, one is bound to think of Philly cheesesteaks, vibrant street art, and the comfort of the bustling Reading Terminal Market. The city’s economy is also expected to expand in 2024, at a rate of 2.1% in the first quarter.
The most lucrative industries of this city include education, healthcare, biotechnology, telecommunications, food processing, and financial services. As of 2024, Philadelphia’s population stands at 1.5 million+. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that around 716,000 people are employed across different industry verticals.
Employers of this city, especially those in safety-sensitive industries like transportation, construction, aviation, etc. are required to conduct employee drug testing. In this article, we will discuss the need for premier drug testing and a few tips for an effective workplace program.
Drug Abuse & Overdose Crisis in Philadelphia
Since 2021, the city of Philadelphia has witnessed a sharp rise in cases of drug abuse and overdose. The case numbers only increased by a shocking 11% in 2022, when the city reported 1,413 overdose deaths.
The two most notorious drugs related to such deaths were found to be opioids and cocaine. A majority of these fatalities were unintentional, where the individual with substance use disorder did not get help or refused to receive it.
Workplace Drug Testing: The Need of the Hour
We know that drugs, primarily those like cocaine and cannabis, can negatively impact the user’s health and productivity. They impair the individual’s behavior and cognitive capabilities. It may all start as a loss of interest or productivity at work but escalate to a point of absenteeism.
As per the American Addiction Centers, a lot of employees use different illicit substances to cope with stress. This stress may also be related to work in the form of office politics, job insecurity, or work overload.
An example would be the logistics industry’s truck drivers, who usually abuse drugs to meet the demands of their work. These include timely cargo delivery, loneliness, inclement weather conditions, and ongoing depression.
Though substance abuse affects the mood and health of the addicted person, it also threatens the safety of other employees. Moreover, the US industry bears the brunt in the following ways –
- Employee absenteeism
- The constant conflict between employees and their supervisors
- Occupational accidents and injuries
- Loss of job performance, which affects the overall output of the organization
- High turnover rates
- Instances of theft
- Low employee morale
This was a general list, but given the concerning drug abuse statistics across Philadelphia, it won’t be long before companies start losing millions due to employee drug abuse. As a result, employee drug testing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the need of the hour.
Tips for a Fair and Effective Drug Testing Program
Taking effect from January 2022, Philadelphia employers cannot demand pre-employment drug tests for marijuana. However, they can have on-the-job drug test screenings to ensure a safe and productive workplace.
Let’s look at some ways to establish an effective drug testing program in place –
Having Clear and Straightforward Rules
A workplace drug testing program will only be effective when the employer lays down clear documented rules that are binding on all employees. There must be complete transparency and consistency when it comes to test administration.
When the rules are well-defined and rigid, they will deter cases of substance abuse, boost employee morale, and ensure that everyone is aware of the consequences.
Testing Regularly and at the Right Times
The timing of a drug test is also of utmost importance. Let’s look at some of the right times for conducting a drug test –
- Pre-employment stage (except for marijuana)
- After an occupational accident
- Random times just to bolster safety
- Once an employee has resumed work after a hiatus
- Just as a follow-up to previous drug tests
Regular drug testing (especially on random days) will keep employees on their guard against abuse. Employers must ensure the same is done in a neutral and unbiased manner. In other words, any member of the organization regardless of their rank or title should be picked out randomly for a drug test.
It is best to leverage automation for this as the system will randomly select candidates, thereby making the process reliable and transparent. Also, it’s important to limit the time between when the employees are notified of the test and when it is conducted.
Picking the Right Tests
According to Health Street, a wide variety of DOT and non-DOT tests are available to detect virtually any illicit substance. These include urine tests, hair follicle tests, and 5 or 10-panel drug tests, among others.
Choosing the wrong test will not only make the employer lose money but will also fail to make the workplace safe and productive. For instance – urine tests are the most commonly used, but for extreme accuracy, a hair follicle test is the way to go.
Drug testing from certified laboratories can be expensive, so the employer must be careful. They must research the most widely used drugs in Philadelphia or a particular neighborhood and conduct tests accordingly.
Learning to Recognize Signs of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is more than a personal issue. It affects the entire workplace, including the company’s clients. This is why an employer cannot afford to be negligent of drug abuse. Any early signs that raise a reasonable suspicion must be addressed immediately.
These may include sudden unexplained changes in behavior or attitude, constant irritability or angry outbursts, appearing fearful or paranoid for no reason, lack of productivity, and frequent day-offs. Early detection will allow the employee to get the help they need and will make the workplace safe for others.
As per the City of Philadelphia’s official website, the city’s Opioid Response Unit has developed an action plan to tackle the growing drug overdose crisis. A one-size-fits-all approach is being discarded, and citywide efforts are underway to reduce the stigma surrounding drug abuse detection and treatment.
Operation Engage Philadelphia is in motion to offer local drug abuse prevention coalitions with customized training for substance misuse problems. It is a comprehensive community-level approach for all kinds of illicit drug abuse, and not just opioids.
Communities are donating to funds set up for recovering addicts, and access to medications like methadone (used for opioid use disorder) is being increased. Hopefully, these efforts will bring down the case numbers of drug abuse significantly in the upcoming years.
