Drug testing is being regularly required by most employers these days. As part of the hiring process, employers are not only running credit and background checks on applicants but also requiring them to have drug tests.

Employers first need to determine whether they want an "at office" or laboratory drug testing for their prospective employees. There are several different drug tests that employers can order for the applicants. Some of these tests, such as some urine tests, can be done at the employer premises itself while other tests such as hair sample tests need to be done at a laboratory.

Lots of different companies are marketing simple and easy to use drug testing kits to parents and employers. These drug testing kits that can be used in the office premises are essential to ensure that the applicant is drug fee.

The most reliable type of a drug test will require that the test sample be sent in and checked by an accredited drug testing lab. To prevent law suits from prospective employees on the account of discrimination most employers order laboratory based drug testing kits with medical review officer supervision. The medical review officer will analyze the results and make a judgment based on it.

These tests come in several different forms. A urine drug testing kit can be in the form of a cassette, cup or dipstick. The tests can also be five panel, seven panel or nine panel tests. The number of panels in the drug testing kits indicates the number of drugs that the test will check for. Most drug testing kits are designed to test for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and Phencyclidine.

Some of the drug testing kits also checks for alcohol abuse. The results for most of these tests are ready within three days.  The results from drug testing kits can also indicate to an employer whether an applicant is a recreational drug user, moderate user or heavy drug user.

Drug testing is a controversial subject and critics against drug testing say that it should not be done as the employee is indulging in it only outside work hours.  However, employers are insisting on drug testing as way to minimize worker absenteeism and cut costs relating to employee injury in the workplace.

However, employers need to use the drug testing results with caution to avoid any charges of discrimination. It is advisable that employers conduct employee drug testing in laboratories and have the results reviewed by a medical review officer to prevent any charges of discrimination.