Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

SECURITY SERVICES: Mouthing Off for Drug Testing

February 6, 2006
Similar to a thermometer, oral drug testers only requires a few minutes in the applicant’s or employee’s mouth. It is less expensive per test and easier to administer, according to firms using the procedure.


The specter of an employee on drugs while at work haunts every employer. In the manufacturing industry, the consequences of employee drug use can be catastrophic. An employee high on drugs gets his or her hand tangled in a machine, or someone falls asleep on the job, and the whole product batch is ruined.

Robert Rivenburgh, human resources manager at Keymark Corp., Fonda, N.Y., was certainly on board with employee drug testing. The way he saw it, the company couldn’t afford to have employees on the job who were not fully capable of handling their duties.

The company, a producer of extruded aluminum shapes, had been drug testing employees using urine since 1998. But Rivenburgh was concerned that employees were adulterating the tests by using products that were easy to purchase on the Internet. In addition, administering the program was so cumbersome that it seemed too much of a bother. As a result, he was also concerned that the urine testing was not being administered correctly.

Rivenburgh didn’t question whether the company should do drug testing. The question was: How could he make a drug testing program work as effectively as possible?

Rivenburgh’s company operates a factory in multiple states with hundreds of employees. Drug testing is done on a pre-employment, random and reasonable cause basis. Arranging for employees to be drug tested was an administrative nightmare.

For each employee that was drug tested, lab time at the local hospital had to be scheduled, directions to the lab given to the employee and time off from the plant arranged. Employees weren’t expected to go for drug tests on their own time, thus the cost per test could easily exceed $100. Canceling lab appointments that could not be accommodated by an employee or chasing down the results also added to the frustration and cost.

In addition to existing employees, the company also required that job applicants be screened for drug use. This ensured that only clean, workers applied for jobs. But it also added to the burden of administering the drug testing program.

Until recently, the only way to drug test was by urinalysis. This needed to be done in a sanctioned lab and cost upwards of $75. In fact, testing for substances such as OxyContin, Vicodin or Ecstasy would increase the cost even more. But newer technologies have emerged that are better suited for employee drug testing.

Oral-based Testing

Rivenburgh decided to do some research. He looked for a different way of drug testing that would be easier to administer, harder to cheat and cheaper than the current urine testing program. He discovered that oral-based drug testing eliminated many of the drawbacks of lab-based urine testing while offering more effective results. Oral-based tests can detect substances that have recently been ingested as opposed to urine tests that require the body to metabolize the drug, a process that can take several hours. This was particularly reassuring to Rivenburgh as it would decrease the possibility that someone would use drugs during their break and then resume operating heavy machinery.

He also discovered that his staff could be trained to administer the test and it did not require a bathroom. Furthermore, results are known in five to 15 minutes.

Rivenburgh decided to make the switch.

The company implemented Avitar Inc.’s Drugometer (Canton, Mass.). Similar to a thermometer, the tester only required a few minutes in the applicant’s or employee’s mouth. Rivenburgh was pleased that it would be less expensive per test and easier to administer, but more importantly, oral on-site testing would be more effective as a deterrent to drug abuse in the workplace.

Rivenburgh could tell right away that the program was working. When job applicants were told that they would be tested on site, it was clear who was going to pass the test by the look on his or her face. This kind of interaction was very important to Rivenburgh when he made a new hire decision.

In addition, the company’s prior drug testing program regularly had a 20-30 percent positive rate. With the new tester, that number dropped to almost zero.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

Half closed laptop

Sudo Vulnerability Discovered, May Exposes Linux Systems

Events

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Baylor to implement COVID-19 surge testing

    Baylor University implements surge testing for off-campus students

    See More
  • The (In) Security of Drug Testing

    See More
  • workforce drug positivity on the rise 2020

    Workforce drug testing positivity at highest rate in 16 years

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • 150 things.jpg

    The Handbook for School Safety and Security

  • Photonic-Sensing.gif

    Photonic Sensing: Principles and Applications for Safety and Security Monitoring

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • January 9, 2012

    AVHS: Server Software for Hosting of Video Monitoring Services

    Easy access to security video via the internet is becoming increasingly popular, both for verification of alarms by central alarm stations as well as monitoring small businesses and homes by end customers. AXIS Video Hosting Systems (AVHS) is an easy and cost-effective way to implement true remote monitoring and further develop your business. Learn how you can take advantage of this new product, and capitalize on a fast growing market.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing