Workers cheating on office drug tests hit a 30-year high, says lab

Americans cheating on drug tests at work has hit a 30-year high, according to Quest Diagnostics, one of the largest testing facilities in the country.

Out of 5.5 million drug screens conducted in 2023, approximately 31,000 showed signs of tampering. Workers use strategies like replacing urine samples with artificial or animal samples, according to Quest’s Dr. Suhash Harwani.

Notably, out of over 8.4 million urine samples analyzed last year, 4.6% tested positive for drugs, mostly marijuana use. These numbers are up from 4.3% in Quest’s 2022 testing.

States that have legalized marijuana for recreational use saw the highest rise in positive test results at 5.8%.

The alarming increase, coupled with varied marijuana laws, poses challenges for employers to keep the work environment drug-free. Some companies are reconsidering drug testing as a screening tool, especially for roles involving machinery operation or driving.