Flunking a pre-employment drug test shows poor judgment—AND you use drugs. After applying, interviewing, and securing the job pending a negative drug test, you still failed. Seriously?

The Growing Issue of Failed Drug Tests

Wow. Double fail.

More and more companies are drug testing—even small companies. And more and more people are failing, some in a very public way. Certainly athletes and celebrities get the most attention, often for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).  But they’re not the only ones. And it’s not just PEDs.

High-Profile Cases of Failed Drug Tests

From athletes to reality TV stars, failed drug tests have cost people major opportunities. Here are some notable cases:

  • Hell’s Kitchen winner Ja’Nel Witt lost the job she won because she forgot to quit using cocaine before the pre-employment drug test. D’oh!
  • Former LSU cornerback and Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu failed for marijuana. He knows they test. He failed anyway. 10 times! The current Arizona Cardinal claims he quit. Drug users lie, and they’re very good at it. Keep an eye on this one.
  • Knicks star J.R. Smith for marijuana—3 times.
  • Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic for amphetamines.
  • Seven track and field athletes failed drug tests at the August 2013 world championships in Moscow. Primarily PEDs.

These knuckleheads knew they were going to be tested, and still failed. But they are the exception. Most who know they will be tested abstain, at least until they pass the test. Pre-employment drug tests are easy to study for. A quick search of the internet reveals many sites devoted to passing drug tests.

Drug users lie, cheat, and steal, just like gamblers and other people with vices to hide. Many are in denial, as are their employers.

Why Random Drug Testing is Essential

That’s why random drug testing programs are so vital to keeping drugs out of the workplace. Industries with mandated random drug testing programs have MUCH lower positive rates. Random testing works. It is the single best deterrent to substance abuse in the workplace.

Yes, pre-employment tests will filter out many who fail to meet the requirements. Random testing will likely identify a few more. However, those who are aware of the consequences will abstain as long as there is a deterrent. Would you rather employ responsible individuals or those who take unnecessary risks?