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I went to a large box company to apply for a job. On the front door was a sign saying that all applicants would be screened for substance use. This really surprised me. Is it such a big problem that they do pre-employment screening now?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse did a survey that may help answer your question. They reported that if every worker between the ages of 18 and 40 were tested on any given day, up to 25 per cent would test positive for substance use.

The National Institute of Mental Health did another survey of work days lost to disability related to mental disorders. They found that 1.3 billion disability days were linked to mental disorders.

Alcohol or other drugs contributes to a significant portion of lost work days. But disability days due to other problems such as neck and back pain are far more common. Other common physical and mental conditions that lead to lost work days include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and impulse control disorders.

Many of the large box companies employ workers who operated forklifts or other similar types of equipment. Lifting and loading may be another job duty. Contact with the public is also common. All of these responsibilities require clear thinking and a safety-minded approach.

Alcohol and other drugs can cloud judgment and lead to workplace accidents and disability. Many large companies have started pre-employment screening as one way to combat lost money and productivity attributed to substance use and abuse.

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