Drug test results are only as good as the tests administered

It's important to conduct tests that yield reliable results. Use a laboratory with a track record for accuracy.

I recommend: WolfeData.com provides kits and a listing of 7,000 collection sites nationwide.

Offsite testing establishes a healthy boundary

It helps to put some distance between what employees see as an uncomfortable test and the workplace.

I recommend: Disa.com, a leading provider of full-service employee screening services, administers drug and alcohol testing policies for U.S. Department of Transportation among others.

Institute policies and procedures

Develop a company policy that outlines drug-testing procedures

I recommend: HRPolicyAnswers.com can help you set up an employee drug-testing policy. Drugsaware.com provides software to help manage your drug-testing process.

Get compliant

Federal regulations, contract or insurance requirements count as some of the reasons why employers conduct drug tests.

I recommend: Expomed.com outlines some of the reasons.

Consider costs

Generally the employer pays, although occasionally the employee pays and receives reimbursement when the test results prove negative. Some employers have dropped drug-testing programs due to high overall costs.

I recommend: Drugwarfacts.org cites recent trends and costs in employee drug testing.

Weed out drug users before hiring

Pre-employment drug testing will eliminate candidates unfit due to substance abuse.

I recommend: Preemploymentdrugtests.com has developed technology to analyze hair to test for drug abuse, a test considered much less invasive than others.

Know what to look for

There are generally five categories of substances for which people are commonly tested .

I recommend: Drugdetection.net gives you more information on these substances. Uritoxmedicaltesting.com provides an easy-to-read table that shows the types of commonly abused drugs, the timetable for their detection and the urine tests used to pinpoint them.