7 Benefits Of Drug Testing At Work In An Academic Setting

Are you debating drug testing at work for your school staff? Here are the benefits of a drug-free environment in an academic setting.

Drug abuse is a serious, and frightening, problem, that affects people from all walks of life. The deadly epidemic crosses all social and geographical boundaries in the United States. Unfortunately, no one seems immune to addiction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse‘s data shows that from 1999 to 2017, the drug epidemic has been on the rise in the U.S. In 2016 alone, their research indicates that more than 64,000 victims died due to a drug overdose.

If your profession is in the field of academics, the price to pay for employees addicted to drugs may be even greater than most industries. Teachers, professors, and school administrators are in a position to act as role models for our children, and for students of all ages.

Are you considering implementing drug testing at work for your school’s staff?

Find out how drug testing at work for your employees can offer school and community-wide benefits!

7 Benefits Offered By Drug Testing at Work

For those employed in an academic setting, the stakes may be higher, but that doesn’t mean that there are not school employees who engage in drug use.

A recent case involving a school teacher in Indiana, who was allegedly caught using drugs in the classroom by her students, illustrates the potential widespread negative effects of drug use by school staff.

Many industries benefit from drug testing employees. But one of the industries that stand to benefit the greatest is in the area of academia.

1. Teachers are Encouraged to Maintain Drug-Free Lifestyle

It’s important that academic personnel be held to a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of drugs.

One way to ensure that school staff maintains a drug-free lifestyle is to implement drug testing at work for the employees. This holds the teachers and staff accountable for their actions. Employees are less likely to use drugs if they know that they could be caught and face consequences for their actions.

2. Positive Student Behavior is Reinforced By Drug-Free Adult Role Models

It has long been acknowledged that children tend to follow the footsteps of their adult role models, often mimicking their behaviors and choices into adulthood.

When academic employees engage in drug abuse, not only do you stand to lose an employee, but the negative repercussions also can weigh on student behavior.

Students might falsely believe that drug use isn’t so bad if they suspect that their teacher engages in this type of behavior. As a result, they might be more willing to try drugs. And, research indicates that a student’s role models can impact their behavior for many years, even as they enter adulthood.

3. It Decreases the Risk of Students’ Safety Being Jeopardized

When anyone uses drugs, it lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment.

A teacher who is using cannot be trusted with the ability or rationale to keep students safe.

By implementing mandatory drug testing at work, you are helping to keep students safe and out of potentially dangerous situations.

4. It Sets a Standard for Acceptable Behavior

When academic staff know the expectation and realizes that they may be subject to drug testing, it sets the standard for what’s acceptable, and what’s not.

This minimizes any cause for confusion should the teacher engage in drug use and as a result, fail a drug test. If they know the expectation beforehand, then they are less likely to attempt to justify the use of illicit drugs.

5. It Gives School Authorities a Way to Prove Allegations

It is one thing to suspect a teacher of drug use and accuse them of illicit behavior. It is another to have proof in hand that substantiates the allegations against them. This gives authorities the justification to take action against the teacher and reduces the chances that the teacher could argue against them.

6. It Provides Parents With Peace of Mind

Parents, by nature, want assurance that they are leaving their children in good hands. By drug testing academic staff, you are offering parents a greater level of confidence that employees can be trusted with the care of their students.

7. Schools and Academic Institutions are Able to Avoid Further Consequences

When you consider the big picture, failing a drug test is a relatively minimal consequence of academic staff’s drug use. When they are found to be using through drug testing procedures, it may help the school avoid public humiliation for their behavior.

It’s not uncommon today to see reports of teachers involved in drug-related behavior. There have been stories of academic staff being caught with drugs, and even worse.

Drug testing allows the administrators to keep tabs on staff behavior so that they might be found out before the story becomes a headline in the news, wreaking bad publicity not only for the teacher but for the employer as well.

Find Out More About the Benefits of Drug Testing Your Employees

Do you want to know more about how drug testing could benefit your school or institution?

Many employers are taking advantage of the multiple benefits offered for drug testing at work.

Feel confident that you are providing your students with the highest standard of care and protect yourself from scrutiny from the public.

Drug testing at work is a fair and just system for finding out if your employees are making the grade. It sets the expectation for your employees and eliminates the possibility of a gray area.

Check us out today to find out more about how drug testing at work can work to benefit you!