Many employers feel overwhelmed when it comes to drug testing their employees, but understanding the process allows companies to make educated decisions. For example, where did the 5-panel drug test come from, and why is it called a panel? Through SAMHSA best practices, the federal government considers five top drugs as the foundation of any drug testing program, including its own.

1. Understanding Drug Testing
Panels
By Mobile Health
NYC Employee Screening Provider

2. Why Drug Test?
• Important part of pre-employment screening
process
• Helps prevent:
– Loss of productivity
– Increase of workplace accidents
• Helps ensure a safer workforce

3. Following Mr. Reagan’s Lead
• Executive order 12564 in 1986 establish ‘DrugFree Federal Workplace’
• Mandates all federal employees get drug
tested.
• Urine chosen as specimen choice due to
reliability and cost effectiveness.
• 5 Panel chosen as standard testing method.

4. Additional Specimen Options
• Hair
– Long term testing and difficult to tamper
• Saliva
– Immediate use testing and immediate results
• Blood
– Nearly impossible to tamper
• Sweat
• Breath

5. Traditional 5 Panel Drugs
• Amphetamines
– Schedule 2, examples: meth
• Cannabinoids (THC / Marijuana)
– Schedule 1, examples: pot, hash
• Cocaine
– Schedule 1
• Opiates
– Varied scheduling, examples: opium, heroin
• Phencyclidine
– Schedule 2, examples: PCP, angle dust

6. Initial Drug Screen
• A group of tabs (panels), each representing a
drug to test, is exposed to the specimen.
• A chemical reaction on a particular tab will
identify the presence of the tab’s drug.
• A control tab ensure proper specimen.
• Negative results are identified immediately
• Positive results need lab and MRO
confirmation

7. What to test for?
• Federal Government establishes best practices
in SAMHSA guidelines.
• Encourages private businesses to drug test
urine samples for 5 panels only.
• Businesses may expand to additional panels as
needed.
• DOT drug tests follow SAMHSA testing
guidelines for truck drivers.

8. Industry Examples
• Pharmacies may include additional tests to
prevent theft and prescription abuse/
• World Conference on Doping in Sport
regulates 400 organizations with 10 page
report on hundreds of tested substance.
• Certain driving or labor driven positions
require Breath Alcohol Testing as well.

9. Employer Decision
• Most employers fall within 5-12 panel drug
tests.
• For many everyday positions, 5 panel is
enough.
• Due to low cost, some choose more panels
without significantly higher price.
• Employee screening provider will help
establish a plan and policy.

10. Mobile Health
• For more information, visit us online at
www.mobilehealth.net
• Our medical centers offer full service drug
testing and other employee screening
services.
• We are located in:
• Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten
Island, Hempstead, LI