There are two sides to the argument however, we can’t lay all the blame on the companies. It has become an almost cultural standard for Americans to rely on powerful prescription medications. Sadly it starts earlier and earlier, with very young children being put on things to help their ADD or ADHD. It has become the standard of health for a larger and larger percentage of the American population to have a strong prescribed medication in their medicine cabinet. The main problems that companies are facing are ways to address the issue. As, despite all assurances and everything being completely legal, these drugs do have some very serious side effects. Should a company simply ignore this fact in favor of all employees, when it can lead to more problems than solutions? Especially when the number one company doing the drug testing Quest Diagnostics, has released statistics that indicate that the percentage of people testing positive for prescription opiates when up from 2005 more than 40%. These statistics were taken from the results of over half a million tests and subjects.

But of course, where should the company draw the line at employee privacy? Why should an employee have to disclose personal information about their prescriptions that they are seeking medical attention and information for? They are under doctor’s orders to follow the dosage and take them accordingly, but is it safe for them to be on such a dosage when they’re operating heavy machinery around many other people?