The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) is a federal agency that regulates workplace drug testing for five kinds of drugs in urine: MMJ, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, and PCP.
An employer uses the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test mainly to protect its employees and is concerned that one of their workers might be using a dangerous substance. If you are an employer, you need to be familiar with the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test and how it can help your organization.
Suppose you need a certified SAMHSA drug testing center in the United States; you can either go to the SAMHSA website to find a local testing center or use Google or any similar search engine to see a service nearby.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is SAMHSA?
- What Are SAMHSA Drug Testing Requirements?
- What Is The "SAMHSA Panel"?
- When Should An Employer Use The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
- Can An Employer Refuse To Use SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
- How Much Does It Cost To Perform The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
- Where To Find SAMHSA-Certified Laboratories Near Me?
What Is SAMHSA?
SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the United States Government responsible for programs that provide mental health services to prevent and treat drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and mental health conditions other than drug abuse.
It also manages various information services and maintains a database on substance abuse. In the United States, SAMHSA is the primary provider of this kind of database. In addition, SAMHSA works with other branches of the government and private organizations to provide services and programs to the public.
What Are SAMHSA Drug Testing Requirements?
SAMHSA drug testing guidelines lists companies in the United States that must use this test for drug testing their employees.
The law requires federal agencies to use this test whenever they perform a drug test on employees or applicants. In addition, agencies that do not comply with this regulation may get fined. Most of the time, employers listed in this list are federal agencies.
There are cases where a company receives funding from the government but is not on the SAMHSA MGL. However, these cases are rare. It is essential to note that this list does not apply to companies with fewer than two employees.
Companies with the lowest number of employees (Less than 2) are not required to use the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test. Also, private companies, non-profits, and state agencies are not required to conduct SAMHSA-regulated drug tests mandatorily.
However, government agencies may be required to use this test based on state laws. Moreover, this test is also accepted in all U.S. states, which means that the test results can be used as evidence in cases where drug testing was conducted for legal purposes.
Usually, an employer may use this test on persons who apply for a federally regulated position. However, employers may choose to use this test even if their employees are not required by law to perform drug tests.
You should note that the employer may drug test the employee, but it should be based on valid reasons like random drug testing, based on suspicion, or post-accident drug testing.
Employers may take the SAMSHA Drug Testing Guidelines because
- It is the widely accepted drug testing standard by both public and private employers all over the United States.
- SAMHSA has a Drug-Free Workplace Program (DFWP), in which the employers enrolled in this program might receive a discount in their workers’ compensation insurance premium.
What Is The "SAMHSA Panel"?
The "SAMHSA Panel" refers to a test created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It first started back in 1993 with the SAMHSA 4 panel drug test. It was later updated in 2011 to include testing for synthetic marijuana.
This test was used for Federal Employee Drug Testing, accreditation of drug treatment programs, DOT drug testing, and a couple of other Federal requirements. The new 5-panel drug test is more comprehensive than the 4-panel drug test in 2011.
It tests for synthetic marijuana and amphetamines while increasing its opiate detection time to look for heroin, opium, and codeine. This test is one of the most widely used tests for drug screening in the United States.
It is recognized for its accuracy, simplicity, and speed. The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test can provide 24/7 testing capabilities with very short turnaround times at one of their certified labs.
The test also detects within 15 minutes, which provides more than adequate time to decide. Additionally, the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is 100% accurate. It is a very useful test for employers because it can give fast and precise results from a urine sample.
In addition, this test can detect several different kinds of drugs simultaneously, which can provide valuable information about a person's drug usage. When performed correctly, this test has no false positives or negatives. The test results are clear-cut and easy to interpret for anyone receiving the results.
When Should An Employer Use The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test may be used any time a person uses a dangerous substance while they are at work. This test is used primarily to protect employees because employers believe some workers are using alcohol or drugs.
When an employer uses this test, it can help employers ensure that their employees are not hurting themselves or others through drug usage at work. It is also used to help companies that require their employees to submit a drug test.
Employers can use the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test to ensure that the substance abuse program is working correctly and reducing accidents, injuries, and damage at work. Moreover, it's more accurate than most drug tests available on the market.
Can An Employer Refuse To Use SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
As a general rule, employers may choose not to use this type of drug testing equipment if they have employees that work in locations where they do not have to follow all Federal laws and regulations.
However, employers may be required to pay fines or other penalties if they violate these regulations. In addition, this law does not apply in every state and country worldwide.
Therefore, any company that uses this drug testing software in the United States must consult with a lawyer before doing so. The law may not apply to all states and even companies that receive federal funding.
An employer's location can also affect whether they must use this drug-testing device. Therefore, it is essential to talk to a lawyer before administering drug tests in any state or country.
Some private companies and non-profits do not use this test except under particular circumstances. Employers that aren't required by law to use SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test may still decide to use it because it is easier and cheaper than other testing methods.
However, employers should make sure that they understand the laws in their state before going for it. It can be constructive if employers have a lawyer who can interpret these laws in their state or country.
How Much Does It Cost To Perform The SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test?
The cost to perform the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is low and affordable because employers test only for five prominent drugs. Any clinic or physician's office can do this test at a very reasonable price. The main costs associated with the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test are transportation and staffing expenses.
Moreover, the cost of using the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test depends on the number of employees being tested, the location where the testing will take place, and the type of drug test administered.
For employers that do not receive funding from the federal government, it can be a lot less expensive to use this test than other drug tests available on the market. In addition, the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is very easy to use and produces results in a concise amount of time.
SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test has a short turnaround time that can help employers decide whether or not to terminate an employee on the spot. Furthermore, this test is considered safe, simple, and fast. It is also very accurate compared to different tests available on the market.
Where To Find SAMHSA-Certified Laboratories Near Me?
A SAMHSA-certified lab is accredited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to test urine specimens and blood samples for illicit drugs that may impair or influence the health or function of individuals.
SAMHSA has accredited many professional labs to perform drug test based on federal guidelines. Many of these facilities are located throughout the United States. To find a SAMHSA-certified lab near you, go to their website and enter your city or state.
USHealthTesting is a SAMHSA-certified lab that offers drug testing programs nationwide in 3000+ locations. They provide testing for individuals, employers, and criminal justice agencies. You can book your nearest drug testing center with us. BOOK YOUR DRUG TEST NOW!
Conclusion
While drug testing is a very sensitive subject, SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is safe and easy for employers to use. It provides employers with an opportunity to ensure that their employees are healthy and safe to work.
Since the test is available from most physicians' offices and clinics, it can be administered at a very reasonable price. It also offers employees an opportunity to prove that they are ready for work in a drug-free environment.
However, employers must consider their state and city laws before using the SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test for employee drug tests. With thousands of locations nationwide, SAMHSA-certified labs are easy to find and deliver fast results.
FAQ
Is SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test considered challenging to pass?
No, SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is not considered difficult to pass. However, it is crucial to follow the directions on the test exactly as they are listed. Take certain medications or use certain over-the-counter products. You may have problems passing SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test, so it is essential to clarify this with your physician before taking the test.
How sensitive is a SAMHSA 5 panel drug test?
SAMHSA 5 Panel Drug Test is considered to be very sensitive. It will find the use of many common drugs and more unknown substances that may be used for reasons other than for their original intent. In addition, this test has a high level of accuracy, which means that results are usually accurate and reliable.
