Drug use on decline at work, except prescriptions

U.S. workers testing positive for drug use amounted to 3.5 percent of those tested in 2012, compared to 13.6 percent in 1988. The Wall Street Journal reports on an analysis of 125 million drug tests since 1988 released Monday by medical-testing company Quest Diagnostics Inc.

The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows the use of marijuana is rising. Fewer workers are testing positive, suggesting workers are getting more adept at passing drug tests. Labs are experimenting with oral swabs and hair tests to cut down on the amount of inaccurate testing.

Positive tests for amphetamines has more than doubled between 2002 and last year, rising specifically with safety-sensitive industries like trucking and railroads.

Use of painkillers Vicodin and OxyContin rose 172 percent and 71 percent from 2005 to last year.

Sixty-five to 80 percent of positive tests for amphetamines and opiates are disregarded because the majority of employers assume these workers have prescriptions for the drugs, but work performance could still be impacted.

As some states consider legalizing marijuana, some employers are becoming more concerned about safety in the workplace over recreational use during time off.

In 1988, Ronald Reagan signed the Drug-Free Workplace Act, mandating that employers in certain industries screen employees for drug use.

Read more from the Wall Street Journal.