Industrial accidents also involve a significant percentage of people who are impaired by alcohol or other psychoactive substances. Society has a right and a responsibility to protect human lives and eliminate the incidence of accidents which involve people who are debilitated due to the abuse of mind-altering substances. Physicians as responsible members of society should cooperate in an effort to preserve life and limit injuries. In order to conduct drug testing in an ethical manner, however, and in order to protect the rights of physicians and the rights of individuals, some clear distinctions are needed. Though society has rights to protect life and promote safety, society does not have absolute rights.
Citizens have rights as well.
Though employers have a right to require competent and industrious employees, the rights of employers are not absolute. Employees have rights as well. The fundamental rights of an individual, whether the individual is considered as a citizen, an employee or even a patient stems from the individual's human worth and dignity. The fundamental right to treatment as a person of worth and integrity is not bestowed by society, employers, or physicians. Rather, it springs from the person's existence as a human being.