It has become fairly common for employers to demand a hair sample used in
             a drug test before considering an applicant for a job. If that person
             smoked pot at a party three weeks ago, he or she might not get the position
             no matter how qualified, competent, or responsible. However, an alcoholic
             who shows up for drunk half-drunk or hung-over will slip through the drug-
             screening process. Once they are hired, many employees are subject to
             random drug screening, regardless of their performance on the job. Someone
             could be a top sales producer for a company but because he or she uses
             drugs occasionally on the weekends faces termination. While it is important
             to ensure that people are not endangering the lives of others through drug
             use, such testing procedures constitute an invasion of privacy and can be
             highly intrusive and embarrassing. Except in extreme cases, such as when
             the position requires driving a bus, for instance, drug screening by
             employers should not be permitted. Unless it endangers the lives of others
             or directly impacts job performance, drug use is a highly personal matter
             and such information should be allowed to be kept as private as one's sex
             Many people would argue that screening employees for drugs is
             necessary to ensure productivity and performance. However, most people who
             use drugs use them occasionally, recreationally and on the weekends, not on
             the job. Their personal life will in most cases not interfere at all with
             job performance. Many drug tests are administered even before a person is
             hired or when the employee is performing well on the job. The drug use has
             no bearing on the job whatsoever. If drug use does not impede job
             performance, then it should not be a matter of concern for the employer.
             When employers screen their employees for drugs, they neglect to
             acknowledge the role that alcohol plays in impeding job performance.
             Because alcohol is a...