A Brief History of Drug Testing

During the 1960s drug abuse had spread all over the United States and it had started adversely affecting the workplace environment and consequentially the performance levels. Drug free workplace program introduced by President Ronald Regan in 1986 put the foundation of the present day Labor Department initiatives in this regard. nn nn

nnDuring the 1960s drug abuse turned out to be one of major disastrous phenomena in the United States. Most affected were different enterprises where drug addiction of employees resulted in adverse impact on the quality as well as quantum of the task accomplished. Government had to take notice of the phenomenon and they increased efforts to prevent the spread of drug use in the workplace.nn nnDuring the 1970snnDuring the 1970s the United States Government took a number of steps to coordinate the process of drug free workplace establishment by introducing education, treatment, training, rehabilitation and carried out extensive research conducted by the federal agencies. Ultimately, the “war on drugs” program was taken up by the ONDCP or the Office of National Drug Control Policy from the year 1971. In 1972 the U.S Government introduced NHSDA or National Household Survey on drug abuse. This institute was renamed as NSDUH or National Survey on Drug Use and Health during the year 2002. A result of the survey conducted by the institutes revealed that majority of the full and part time employees are drug addicted.nn nnMilitary Intervention nnAlso during the 1960s and 1970s the U.S Military implemented drug testing program for detection of use of heroine and such other elements by the returning troop. Subsequently the program was expanded to persons in active service and the program was implemented by all three wings of the military; Air Force, Navy, and Army.nn nnTurning Points in 1980snnThe decade of 1980s was significant in the war against drug program on many counts. Drug abuse was confirmed as damaging when after a marine corps jet crash it was found that most of the crew was under the toxic effects of Marijuana in the year 1981. American military authorities implemented no tolerance drug abuse policy and this saw a dramatic fall in positive drug test results among the members of defense forces. Drug and alcohol testing regulations were introduced for railroad employees in 1986 on the basis of recommendations made by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in 1983. Finally; President Ronald Regan introduced the landmark Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program in 1986 which was followed by Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1987 and finally the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988.nn nn1990s and ThereafternnTrend of drug testing and prohibition followed in 1990s and it is since then that drug testing has become commonplace for companies in United States. Even in 2004, around 63% of the employees conducted drug testing. Over 47 million adult workers responded to NSDUH survey in 2006 stating that their employers conducted drug test on them.nn nnSince 2010 the process has become almost mandatory though legally one cannot force a drug test on the employees. At the same time the necessity of a drug free world with drug free workplaces cannot be ignored and drug testing only facilitates the process. Many people also realized that instead of using home remedies which do not ensure results using quality products like Supreme Klean Ultra Detox Drinks or Supreme Klen 7-day total detox kit is the true solution for passing drug tests.