The Committee on Drug Use in the Workplace (CDUW) reviewed many so called ‘studies’ and the conclusions they brought to the attention of many companies were that there simply wasn’t enough proof that a drug testing program was a good idea. There had been no evidence to support the ideal that drug testing programs once put into action had any actual impact whatsoever on work force productivity. They cautioned companies against making decisions to implement a program based on the little ‘evidence’ that was available. They tried to spread the word about how much of that evidence was unsubstantiated and unproven, but at yet another point in our sad history of America, government propaganda won out. They had done such a good job convincing companies and the general public that drug testing programs were not only good ideas, but should be implemented immediately, that companies simply got to it.

But of course, propaganda is not the only culprit in this case. The government went even a step further, and actually turned their beliefs into law and legislation. Mandatory drug testing policies and programs were put into place. Companies were forced to comply, whether or not they ever agreed to. The push of these programs came from The Drug Free Workplace Act which was passed in 1986. From then on drug testing in the workplace became commonplace. Slowly but surely it became standard practice. A significant increase in the number of companies that have programs already in place began once this Act was passed, all the way to the present.