DRUG SALIVA TEST


DRUG TESTING SALIVA


A drug saliva test can usually spot employee drug use within a few days. Employers are using a saliva drug test more often because of their convenience of use. Companies also like the fact that job seekers and employees can’t cheat on them. The saliva drug testing specimen can’t be substituted with a “clean” sample like a urine drug test.


Drug test of saliva has the advantage of being very good at detecting recent drug use. Research also shows drug testing of saliva will have a larger amount of the original drug tested for than its metabolites. A metabolite is a drug that is left behind after drug use. For more information on metabolites follow this link to pre employment drug testing.

Oral Drug Screen


Saliva drug screening doesn’t involve the potential humiliation in collecting the sample like a urine drug test can. One of the main objections to urine drug screening is the common practice of having someone watch you pee in a cup. Then take that specimen from you for testing.


Organizations like the (ACLU) American Civil Liberties Union calls that a "body search and seizure" violating the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These links will give more info about drug testing as being body seaches and seizures of property.

Employee drug testing law

Pre employment drug screening


drug saliva test


How saliva drug testing works

The tester places what looks like a toothbrush between your tongue and cheek for a couple of minutes. The pad from the swab is then put into a small container. A drug test of saliva is more expensive than a test of urine for drug presence and has to be analyzed in a lab to make certain the result is accurate.



A saliva drug test at work…

…will detect most of the commonly tested for drugs called the “NIDA-5”. (NIDA) is the National Institute on Drug Abuse which along with (SAMHSA) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sets federal workplace drug program guidelines.


The NIDA-5 used in saliva drug tests are also called a “Five-Screen” that tests for five types of drugs.

  • Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)
  • Opiates (opium, codeine, heroin, morphine)
  • Cannabinoids (marijuana, hashish)
  • Amphetamines (Amphetamines, speed, methamphetamines)
  • Cocaine (cocaine, benzoylecognine, freebase-crack)
A saliva drug screen can also be used to uncover Benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, tranquilizers-diazepam, etc.) Every employee should know about the NIDA-5/SAMHSA-5 and Ten-Screen drug types that companies test for. Follow these links to those important pages.

Drug detection times

Pre employment drug testing program


drug saliva test


Oral Drug Testing

A drug saliva test is harder to cheat or adulterate. This means job seekers or employees won’t have the opportunity to replace the actual specimen. Urine samples are sometimes switched or hidden. A saliva drug test kit can be used to quickly get a swabbed sample from the employee. Saliva drug testing can detect drug use that’s taken place in a short period of time.


This is also its biggest disadvantage because it can’t reveal long term drug use. The majority of drugs vanish in saliva after about twelve to twenty four hours. This makes it ideal for jobs that require knowing about recent drug use. Professions that have to be keenly aware of safety such as…

  • manufacturing
  • equipment and vehicle drivers
  • healthcare
  • construction
...find saliva drug tests advantageous. Others that would need to pass a saliva drug test are employees involved in on the job accidents. They could be easily tested after the accident to find out if they were high or impaired. Employees should know that more employers are starting to use saliva drug testing. Employers want to be aware at a moments notice if their employees are using drugs on the job right then.


Because a saliva drug test is…
  • hard to cheat or adulterate
  • non invasive to privacy
  • faster in rate of drug detection than a urine or blood test
  • able to be done on the job
…it is looked at as a perfect fit for random drug testing of employees. Random drug testing programs are considered privacy invasions for the same reasons as testing urine.


drug saliva test


If you work for someone else they may out of the blue require a random drug test off you!

Random drug testing is believed to be the most successful form of drug testing. This link will tell you what you should know about random employee drug testing.

Workplace random drug testing


Oral Drug Test

Employers believe a drug saliva test will cause employees to think twice about before work drug use. Because it is so convenient and easy to use, companies can keep an eye on and evaluate the employee’s daily performance and watch for any drug impairment.

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Businesses and organizations want and require a workplace that’s drug free. I’m an employee so I understand how important a safe work environment is for all employees. However, it is just as important that employees know what to expect when being asked to take a drug saliva test or any drug test.

My new sites provides the MOST current changes affecting career seekers and employees. Some employers are constantly working to take away the rights of employees. Follow this link to EMPLOYEE RIGHTS GUIDE, EMPLOYEE WORKPLACE RIGHTS and EMPLOYEE RIGHTS VIDEOS for the latest employee news you can use!


What matters to me...is to help my fellow employee!



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