Drug screening in the workplace--scientific and legal issues.

Urine drug testing is gaining acceptance with employers nationwide as a method of assuring a drug-free work environment. This article explains and discusses the currently used urine drug screening tests (EMIT, TLC, RIA and GCMS). Practical considerations involving specimen collection and proper chain of custody procedures are outlined. The legality of such tests and the legal and ethical issues of drug testing in the workplace are explored by reviewing precedent-setting court decisions. Labor's position on drug testing is summarized. The nurse practitioner responsible for establishing and/or administering company testing policy will benefit by a review of the scientific and legal issues involved in testing workers for drug use.