Random drug test

Random drug test: some characteristics

Random drug testing is very controversial yet very effective. This type of drug testing has the capability of being very efficient as a discourager due to the fact that individuals do not know when they will be tested: it could happen any time. This way, due to the possibility of being tested while being intoxicated, some individuals might opt for just not consuming drugs.

This methodology of drug testing is used in a variety of institutions and workplaces. It is often used in government agencies, police and fire departments, corporations, drug rehabilitation centers, and prisons, among others. Lately, it is becoming popular in schools with teenagers by request of their parents.

Random drug testing and controversy

Random drug testing can be very controversial since individuals might doubt the random selection method employed for choosing them and might think they were chosen on purpose. Therefore, the method used for the random selection must be carefully executed. This is why random drug testing mandated by the government can only be done by using a method that is mathematically proven as being completely random.

Also, according to some critics, random drug testing can be seen as a violation of privacy for those individuals who did not use drugs, and can also be legally questionable as a presumption of guilt. But, despite of this, this method is still frequently used due to its efficiency and to its power of discouraging individuals from using drugs. All private industry employers should consult with their labor attorney first, before starting, or including a random selection program as part of their substance abuse program.