Drugs and work

I’m still getting plenty of mail from the question posed a few weeks ago about workplace drug testing. This came in from reader Jon Combs:

“How does an employer successfully run a business with individuals that are on drugs, or alcohol? … Many individuals disagree with pre-employment drug testing saying that employers are missing out on good employees. My opinion is that this is true, but not if they were to test positive for opioids. Sometimes you can look at a person and know in your gut their stoned, other times not. It is an employers responsibility to keep their employees safe. If an employer knew going in that they were hiring an addict or alcoholic and somebody were injured as a result, the lawsuits would be endless even if it were the person that was under the influence were to be injured. Mr. Sweeden speaks of inalienable rights — but if what you are doing is illegal, how are your rights violated?”