Workplace Drug Screening Opinion Paper - Essay Example

re that nicotine and alcohol are in fact gateway drugs and that frequent or infrequent habits of these, can lead an individual from soft drugs to harder drugs. Most people would usually perceive continued consumption of these substances as a bad habit and negate the concept of addiction as a disease. An employer expects a physically and mentally fit individual to occupy the positions in his Organization. Substance abuse is a contagious ‘disease.’ It adds to the negativities within an individual and the chances of the co-workers getting attracted to this vicious habit are real.

“Substance abuse can be a significant problem in the workplace, contributing to impaired productivity and job performance, increased accidents and injuries, violations of security, theft of company property, and diminished employee morale.” (Position….) An employee with a low morale is a liability to the company. The physicians have a dual responsibility to perform. They must identify a substance abuser from the workplace and fulfill the duty towards the organization for which one renders service by offering the correct medical advice.

The physicians are also expected to safeguard the personal rights and ethical responsibilities. ACOEM has prescribed certain guidelines. “These guidelines are pertinent to drug testing done under the following circumstances – pre-placement assessment, job transfer evaluation, periodic mandatory medical surveillance, post-incident/accident, for-reasonable-suspicion/cause, and random testing of those in safety- and security-sensitive positions, special work fitness examinations, and monitoring of employees who are under treatment for drug abuse, including alcohol, as a condition of continuing employment.

”(Position….) What is the priority for a patient? Health or privacy? To protect the health of the patient is more important than to protect one’s privacy. But if interventions are practiced that will serve both ends, protect the safety of the