According to data obtained by Quest Diagnostics, the number of U.S. employees who allegedly tampered with their drug tests increased by more than six times in 2023 compared to the previous year. This surge represents the highest rate recorded in over 30 years.
“Some American workers are going to great lengths to attempt to subvert the drug testing process,” a senior director at Quest Diagnostics said.
Approximately 5.5 million drug tests were collected from the U.S. workforce, with 6,000 classified as substituted urine specimens. That is an increase of 633% over last year. Substituted urine could mean a person used someone else’s urine, an animal’s or synthetic urine purchased online.
An additional 25,000 tests came back as “invalid,” marking a 45% increase over a year ago. Invalid tests include samples with additives used to hide drug use, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Drug screens with positive results increased in industries associated with “office work.” Real estate and lending saw a 17% increase and professional, scientific and technical services rose by 9.3%. Additionally, educational services rose by 7.9% and public administration increased by 5%.
Marijuana positivity increased in 13 out of 15 industries, with finance and insurance representing the largest jump. That sector saw a 35.7% jump in positive marijuana tests in 2023.
Positive cocaine tests among U.S. workforce members also increased by 9.1% last year. However, positive heroin tests decreased by 16.7%, and opiates followed suit with a decline of 12.5%.