So, you are mulling over the idea of drug testing your employees and now wonder what approach would better suit your organization.
As you can see, there are several options to choose from, such as urine drug testing, saliva drug testing, hair drug testing, and blood test. But for the purpose of this article, let’s tackle the pros and cons of urine drug testing and hair drug testing — two of the widely used drug testing methods in various industries today.
Urine Drug Testing
This method can be performed using an integrated test cup, dip strip, dip card, or cassette drug testing kits for instant results. Aside from being less expensive, urine drug testing is often preferred because it provides results within just a few minutes. Instant urine drug test kits are easy to store and dispose without causing harm to the environment. The window of detection can go anywhere from 1-3 days, depending on the substance/s detected. For cannabis, the detection period is up to 14 days.
On the other hand, some people detest this method because it is invasive in nature. Urine samples are also easier to adulterate as people have discovered sophisticated ways to tamper collected specimens. The limited detection window is another factor making some organizations to use other testing method. Still, urine drug testing offers convenience when it comes to random drug testing employees.
Hair Drug Testing
The most desirable benefit of this method is its ability to detect drugs for up to 90 days. It is often used by organizations with zero tolerance on drug use. With just a few strands of hair (must include the roots), a lab professional can detect various types of banned substances present in a person’s body. Samples are also easy to store and the collection method itself is non-invasive.
But unlike urine drug testing, hair follicle test requires lab analysis; therefore, you’ll need to wait for a few days before you will know the result. Additionally, the detection of drug usage depends on the length of the donor’s hair.
