Screening patients for drugs of abuse in the urine may be indicated to help differentiate symptoms, or to insure that a patient is substance-free before undergoing medical procedures. Drug screening of pregnant women with a history of drug abuse may be useful as an educational tool and help guide treatment of the newborn.
Some employers require a drug screen as part of an employment or pre-employment physical.
Nearly all workers in some occupations, such as law enforcement and transportation, are subject to periodic, random, and post-incident drug screening. Federal laws govern the administration of drug screens to workers in the transportation industry, including bus drivers, truckers, airline employees, and railroaders. Federally-mandated testing must be done by a laboratory certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Other industries are governed by state laws. State laws vary considerably, and it is advisable to check with competent legal counsel before performing employment-related drug testing in your laboratory.