Technology for detect the use of illegal drugs was been around for about the last thirty or so years and now using a hair drug test is becoming a more accurate way for employers to find out if their workers are under the influence of such drugs. Although a hair drug test is one of the more expensive drug tests out there it comes with many advantages although some would argue the test does have its problems.
One of the biggest pluses of an employers deciding to use a hair drug test is they will be able to find any long term drug users that might be working for them. This is possible because when someone ingests an illegal substance it permanently becomes part of the hairs chemical composition and each time of drug use becomes marked in the hair in the order it happens. Since hair grows one half an inch each month by taking a one and one half inch sample to perform the drug test on it can be determined the person’s usage for the past three months. Hair drug tests have shown to test positive for illegal substances twice as often as urine drugs tests. A hair drug test does not really become effected if someone where to abstain from drug use for a period of time before a test. In fact on occasion a hair drug test can be used to determine when drug usage has started and stopped.
Those that are opposed to employers using a hair drug test present the following arguments. Tests could be unfair to people who while do not use drugs themselves are around others who do and their hair absorbs the chemicals. Individuals who have thicker hair may present the argument that drug residue stays much longer in their hair as opposed to someone with thinner hair. People who have recently kicked a drug habit could also have difficulties if given a hair drug test.
Taking into consideration both arguments for and against, a hair drug test is well worth an employer’s consideration.