Drug abuse is a problem that has been brought to light over the years through the destruction of lives. So what would compel someone who has been privy to education about a substance's effects on the body and the mind, and the damage that it can do? There are many viewpoints that aim to answer such a question, some being science based and others that are community, or environmentally based.
Nancy Reagan made the phrase "Just Say No to Drug" a staple throughout schools during the 1980s after a widespread epidemic of crack cocaine and rise in the use of all abused drugs. Schools also incorporated D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs in an effort to teach middle school aged children that they do have the power to stay away from drug abuse. Unfortunately, this program did not have quite the impact that it originally carried, due to the income potential for drug cartels.
Soon after the cartels launched an all out assault on the United States teenage population via importing drugs, the need for detection methods became a priority. Local law enforcement sought to train the American public to be watchful of drug addicts, and implemented K-9 patrol units using German Shepherd Dogs to detect the scent of controlled substances. With the increase in the percentage of Americans that abuse drugs, came the added threat of employees being under the influence while in the workplace. Many were getting nervous as many occupations dealing with the public could be compromised.
Enter the Drug Test. The ability to quickly and accurately test for the presence of antibodies produced in the body as a result of the ingestion of drugs became a priority. Over the years drug tests have been used as an early detection method seeking to prevent full-blown addiction. Many believe that there is a better chance of rehabilitating and helping one to recover in the early stages vs. the latter stages of addiction. Companies now prefer to have the option of sending employees caught using illegal substances to drug programs. After completing substance abuse programs, employees are then reinstated and kept a watchful eye on.
The key to ensuring a safe workplace and the safety of the public is to use standardized drug testing methods that can help to "nip" the problem in the bud. Employers no longer have to forsake hard workers and cause families into poverty; they have the ability to support and cultivate good people, who might have serious problems with drugs or alcohol.
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