APSCREEN Reveals Top Five Tricks Applicants Use to Cheat
Drug Tests
Background check pioneer incorporates drug-screening service into comprehensive
pre-employment screening program to help businesses avoid negligent hiring,
achieve "Drug-Free Workplace."
Rancho
Santa Margarita, CA (PRWeb)
September 19, 2006 -- APSCREEN, one of the early pioneers of comprehensive background
checks for pre-employment screening, warns business owners and human resources
managers of the top five tricks employment applicants use to cheat drug tests,
placing employers at risk of negligent hiring lawsuits.
Thomas Lawson, APSCREEN CEO who
pioneered the background check industry in 1980, said the new drug-screening
service prevents each of the following from getting through the screening process:
- Rapid Detoxification—According to Lawson, many applicants will ingest
anything from high quantities of cranberry to pickle juice, herbal concoctions
and other digestive aids to cleanse the system. "However, most drugs contain
metabolites that stay in the body for several days and can be detected regardless
of what they take to disguise the drug's profile," said Lawson who is a
founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners
(NAPBS), and one of first to become a court-certified expert in negligent
hiring cases.
- Shy Tester—Some applicants try to avoid the drug-screening by showing
up and claiming an inability to produce the required amount of urine. "This
way, the tester can try to secure the position first, hoping the drug screen
slips through the bureaucratic cracks," Lawson said. "But patience is a
virtue and we make the applicant wait up to three hours and even then an
applicant unable to provide a specimen is asked to provide a medical explanation
for their inability to void a specimen. The absence of a medical explanation
results in a refusal to test which has the same consequences as a positive
test."
- The Switch—One of the most popular tricks is for an applicant to attempt
to submit a 'clean' sample which did not come from their own body. "Our
process includes a step-by-step authorization, as well as a blood and urine
screen, that immediately flags a sample if certain criteria, odd temperatures
or unusual activity is noticed." Lawson said. "We've even caught applicants
trying to use unique prosthetic devices." The laboratories test every specimen
to determine that it is in fact normal human urine.
- Pleading Invasion of Privacy—Another common strategy is for an applicant
to deny the employer consent to the drug-screening, hiding behind an 'invasion
of privacy' claim. A strict well-written company policy requiring the testing
will hold up in all courts throughout the United States as grounds for not
hiring someone or releasing someone from employment. "Besides drug testing,
APSCREEN uses every other service at our means to double check the applicant's
use of money, credit, neighborhood references, driving and criminal activities
among other ways to identify if the applicant is hiding a problem. When
we deliver the complete report, the employer can make an educated decision
about hiring the individual."
- The Waiting Game—Other testers will concede to the drug-screening but
ask for up to 90 days before showing for the test. "This is a red flag that
shows the applicant could be 'dirty' and needs time to clean up," Lawson
said. "Our process recommends the applicant be tested immediately upon being
notified of selection for testing. Any delay caused by the applicant is
duly noted and supplied in the final report."
According to the University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, nearly
19 percent of on-the-job fatalities, the person dying tests positive for alcohol,
drugs or both. Additionally, the federal government estimates that 71 percent
of illegal drug users are employed. The Department of Transportation requires
workers in the airline, railroad, trucking, pipeline, mass transit and shipping
industries be regularly tested for drug use. Other non-regulated industries
across the country are implementing drug free workplace programs at the request
of employees in order to ensure a safer working environment.
"We envision a 'drug-free workplace' for the safety and betterment of our economy,"
said Lawson who said
APSCREEN's
drug testing service administered by Florida Drug Screening is Nationally
Accredited for Administration of Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs (NAADATP)
– a unique certification received by only 65 providers in the United States
from the Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA). "We adhere to
the highest level of service and legal compliance available as with all our
services."
Lawson is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified International Investigator and
Expert Witness for lawsuits regarding negligent hiring, human resource management/compliance,
employment screening as well as use, interpretation and compliance of FACTA/Fair
Credit Reporting Act/CCRRA/Gramm-Leach-Bliley (Financial Privacy) Act in the
HR Context.
According to Joe Reilly of Florida Drug Screening, the key to identifying the
'cheaters' is consistent specimen collection procedures and use of laboratories
certified by the United States Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA). Reilly is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Washington DC based Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA).
"This includes emptying of pockets, no overcoats or purses, or pocket books
brought into the collection area, securing all sources of water, checking temperature
of the specimen, observing for sights and sounds indicating falsification; and
laboratory testing for adulteration and substitution," Reilly said.
Reilly also said numerous Federal and State laws regulate the drug-screening
industry and between APSCREEN and Florida Drug Screening, clients will stay
informed of any specific changes that may be impacting the service.
Founded in 1980,
APSCREEN is based
in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and is the originator of the factual employment-screening
concept.
APSCREEN provides nationwide
coverage for businesses seeking the highest caliber, most comprehensive background
checks for pre-employment screening. Thomas Lawson, CEO of
APSCREEN and a Certified Fraud
Examiner, authored the Pre-Employment Screening series, published in The Complete
Workplace Violence Prevention Manual, which is used as the gold standard in
Best Hiring Practices.
APSCREEN
also offers tenant screening and employee locate services. More information
is available by calling toll-free (800) 277-2733 or register online at
www.APSCREEN.com.
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