​Let's Get Started

The first step to a drug-free workforce is a company policy.  DOT-regulated businesses may have a company policy for non-regulated employees and/or to test for more drugs than are allowed by DOT. 

 

​

You'll Need a Company Policy

ACS will generate your company policy allowing you to test your employees for substance abuse.  (You may also contact your attorney or your state's workforce commission with questions concerning your rights as an employer.)  You may begin your testing program after you secure signatures from your employees acknowledging that they will be in a testing program.  Don't worry; ACS includes the forms with your policy.  We customize our procedures and test panels to meet your specific needs.  Testing is offered in our office or at your place of business.  Call 800-411-6906 to get started.  We're here for you!

   

​

Drugs to test

An employee may be tested for the abuse of prescription drugs and the use of illegal drugs.  The most common drug test is called a

5-panel test, because it tests 5 categories of drugs, although there are 14 specific drugs that are included in the test.  They are:

​

    1. Marijuana (THC)   

     

     2. Cocaine

​

     3. Opioids

               Codeine

               Morphine      

               Hydrocodone

               Hydromorphone       

               Oxycodone

               Oxymorphone

               Heroin (6-MAM)

​

     4. Amphetamines

               Amphetamine

               Methamphetamine   

               MDMA (Ecstasy)

               MDA

​

     5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

​

ACS provides testing for many other drugs, including synthetic drugs.  Expanded and customized test panels are available to satisfy your unique requirements.  Call us, 800-411-6906, to discuss the specific drugs you need to test.  We're here for you!  

 

​

Detection Periods

There are several different specimens that can be used to detect drug use.  The detection period is the main consideration when choosing a specimen type.  

​

Urine - most drugs: 1-3 days, marijuana: up to 30 days or more*

Hair - 90 days or longer*

Saliva - a few hours-2 days*

Nails - about 90 days*

​

*Call ACS, 800-411-6906, to discuss detection periods for each drug and each specimen type.  We're here to help!

 

​

Lab Tests vs. Instant Tests

A urine collection may be sent to a DHHS-certified laboratory or processed at ACS. 

 

Lab tests often test at lower levels meaning lower confirmation thresholds are used.  We typically receive negative lab test results the next business day and immediately release them to you.  However, the lab may require additional time to measure the amount of a particular drug at the time of collection and report a test result. 

 

The Point of Collection Test (POCT), or Instant test, will simply produce a negative or non-negative screening result.  Non-negative specimens may be confirmed at the lab for an additional fee. 

​

​

Medical Review

Positive test results reported by the lab may be submitted to a Medical Review Officer (MRO).  An MRO is a physician who specializes in explaining positive test results.  The MRO will interview the donor to ask about medications and surgical or dental procedures.  The donor will submit his/her prescriptions by fax.  The MRO will verify that the prescriptions are in the donor's name and that the amount of drug(s) in the system at the time of collection are within the prescribed dosage.  The MRO may contact doctors, dentists, and pharmacists during the evaluation.  The MRO is certified to verify a negative test result when the criteria is met and the determination is the test result of record.  There is an additional fee for this service.   

​

​

Alcohol Testing

ACS offers alcohol testing using state of the art breathalyzers or DOT-approved saliva strips.  Unless your company has a zero-tolerance policy, alcohol testing should (take place/be required) immediately before, during, or immediately following work hours.   

​

​

Reasons to Test   

• Pre-employment:  It's good to know you are adding an employee to your workforce who shares your standards for safety and responsibility.   

 

• Random:  Accountability promotes good decisions.

​

• Reasonable suspicion:  We offer 24-hour availability for our clients.

 

• Post accident:  We hope you never have an accident, but we're here for you 24/7 if you need us.  

​

• Return to duty and Follow-up:  We offer testing after substance abuse treatment has been completed.

 

• Pre-placement:  Sometimes contractors require testing before your employees are allowed on a job site.  

 

• Annual:  You may want a drug and/or alcohol test on file for all of your employees every year.

 

​

Finally...

We're glad to partner with you to promote safety in the workplace!  Congratulations on making a responsible decision that will benefit your company culture and your bottom line.