RONALD M. PAOLINO

When properly conducted and monitored through appropriate quality-
assurance procedures, urine testing provides an objective and reliable tool
for detecting drug use. Nonetheless, it must be remembered that regard-
less of the level of sophistication of the methodology employed, testing
does but one thing--demonstrates the presence or absence of drug(s) in
the urine. A number of questions need to be addressed once a confirmed
positive urine has been obtained. For example, what is the source of the
drug? Is it from the proper use of a prescribed or over-the-counter medi-
cation? Is it an aberrant result from something the individual ate or drank?
For example, ingestion of poppy seed bagels may result in a urine positive
for opiates. Is it the result of the misuse of prescribed medication or from
the use of an illicit drug? How much drug is being used, and what is the
pattern of use? Are other drugs being used that were not detected by the
test?

What should be done once a positive urine is found to be the result of
inappropriate use or abuse of drugs? The consequences may range from
not hiring an individual in a pre-employment situation, incarceration
where drug use involves probation or parole violation, or treatment and
rehabilitation. While rehabilitation may not be the appropriate option in
all cases, one thing may be stated with certainty: Without rehabilitation
one can only expect the abuser to continue using drugs. Despite its de-
terrent value, urine monitoring alone is not sufficient to maintain absti-
nence in the drug-troubled individual.

The success of a urine monitoring program within an organizational
setting will be determined by the quality of the drug-testing policy that
should be developed and put into place prior to the initiation of testing.
Without a well-conceptualized policy, drug testing will, at minimum, be
useless and, at maximum, produce serious problems for both the organi-
zation and those who are tested. Determining the meaning of a positive
urine sample and deciding what should be done requires the evaluation

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