America is facing a substance abuse crisis that is posing an enormous risk to public health and safety. Alcohol and other drug use at work threatens the business community with significant social and economic costs and consequences. Beside physical dangers, jobs may be endangered if a company's profitability is weakened by poor performance, mistakes or accidents.

Some consequences of substance abuse are:

• decreased productivity
• increased accidents
• absenteeism
• product defects
• higher medical and insurance costs
• employee theft
• higher Workers Compensation claims

No workplace is immune.  Consider this: Job applicants who cannot pass a drug test tend to apply to companies that do not test.

If properly done, drug testing can be a vital component of an effective drug-abuse prevention program, and a strong deterrent to drug abuse.

Most importantly, drug testing works.