Workforce Drug Test Positivity Climbs to Highest Level in Two Decades
Today Quest Diagnostics released the latest findings from the Drug Testing Index™ (DTI). The DTI reveals drug use trends among the American workforce and positivity rates by industry sector. It is published annually as a public service for government, employers, policymakers, media, and the general public, and includes workforce drug testing data since 1988.
For 2021, the rate of positive drug test
results among America’s workforce reached its highest rate since 2001 and was
up more than 30% in the combined U.S. workforce from an all-time low in
2010-2012.
“Our Drug Testing Index reveals several notable trends, including increased drug positivity rates in the safety-sensitive workforce responsible for keeping society safe, as well as higher rates of positivity in individuals tested after on-the-job accidents,” said Barry Sample, PhD, Senior Science Consultant for Quest Diagnostics.
Infographic: 2022 workforce drug testing overview
Infographic: Drug positivity rates for combined workforce
Infographic: Drug positivity rates by industry sector
The study, based on more than 11 million deidentified urine, hair and oral fluid drug test results collected between January and December 2021, offers revealing insights into workforce drug use as employers grapple with creating safe, healthful work environments amid an ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.
Additional Key DTI findings:
Positivity
for cocaine and marijuana increased for federally mandated, safety-sensitive workers
required to test under federal law
Drug
positivity increased in post-accident tests at a faster rate than pre-employment
tests for cocaine, marijuana, opiates and oxycodones
Over
five years, positivity for marijuana in the general U.S. workforce increased
50% (2.6% in 2017 versus 3.9% in 2021)
Urine
positivity rates for post-accident testing increased at a greater rate than
pre-employment testing over five years, driven by higher positivity on
post-accident tests for marijuana, cocaine, and semi-synthetic opiates
Retail
Trade had highest positivity among key industries
DTI resources
Visit our DTI Resources page for the full brochure, and a look at past reports and insights.
Media coverage for the Drug Testing Index includes an exclusive story by The Wall Street Journal.
Today Quest Diagnostics released the latest findings from the Drug Testing Index™ (DTI). The DTI reveals drug use trends among the American workforce and positivity rates by industry sector. It is published annually as a public service for government, employers, policymakers, media, and the general public, and includes workforce drug testing data since 1988.
For 2021, the rate of positive drug test results among America’s workforce reached its highest rate since 2001 and was up more than 30% in the combined U.S. workforce from an all-time low in 2010-2012.
“Our Drug Testing Index reveals several notable trends, including increased drug positivity rates in the safety-sensitive workforce responsible for keeping society safe, as well as higher rates of positivity in individuals tested after on-the-job accidents,” said Barry Sample, PhD, Senior Science Consultant for Quest Diagnostics.
The study, based on more than 11 million deidentified urine, hair and oral fluid drug test results collected between January and December 2021, offers revealing insights into workforce drug use as employers grapple with creating safe, healthful work environments amid an ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.
Additional Key DTI findings:
DTI resources
To learn more about employer drug testing with Quest Diagnostics, visit our website or contact us online.