Pre-employment screening tests indicate higher levels of marijuana use

A recent report by Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS) has found that the number of workers and job applicants in Hawaii who tested positive for marijuana rose by 25 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser. According to Carl Linden, scientific director of toxicology at DLS, many of the samples were given as part of the pre-employment screening process, and resulted in workers not being hired. "It could be of concern to companies that don't do drug testing 'cause that's where they'll gravitate to," he said, quoted by the news source. "All substance abuse in the workplace is a cause for concern. … It's hard to get rid of." On the other side of the country, a proposed change to the municipal code of the city of Methuen, Massachusetts, would require anybody selected for a safety-sensitive city job to take a pre-employment drug screening test, according to the Eagle Tribune. Methuen Mayor William Manzi said the policy will have to be negotiated with labor unions.