Random Drug Testing on Child Care Workers

[Guest]

After calling several Child Care Providers in my area in both Beauregard and Vernon Parishes, I have found out that NONE of them perform any random drug testing on their employees! A few stated, "it's not required by the State". Some didn't even understand what I was talking about, others - at least one - was offended and put off by my questions... she had 16 Staff working in that agency, not to mention the Administrative staff.
One told me the only requirement is upon their initial hiring !

The Child Care Statistics are 4 % of people (ages 18 - 64) admitted to using illegal and legal drugs and/or alcohol in the last month. Those are the ones that got caught (arrested) and were able to contribute to these statistics. It does not include those who have not had any consequences yet from their addictions. That means at least 1 out of every 25 employees admitted they have an substance abuse addiction problem. What about the ones who use drugs and drink every day ? This definitely interferes with their decision making, their patience and tolerance levels - ALL of which are Vital in Caring for young children - especially if they're not their own child !

So they're saying that they are NOT randomly monitoring their Staff who provide direct care 1:1 for our children??? And we PAY these agencies to provide child care Safety ? Most accidents happen in Child Care due to negligence ... You would think they would safeguard their treatment centers and "randomly drug test" their employees.

My Children are important to me and I will not leave them in the care of anyone who doesn't ensure their Absolute Safety Under All Circumstances.

I am currently looking into the laws governing this ... Please help me by starting a chain on this Topic to Get THEIR ATTENTION in keeping our Children Safe from not only sexual predators, but the silent alcoholic and addict who cares more about their drugs than my child.
Thank You ~

[Michael]

Welcome to the Daycare.com Forum Yvonne!

[Blackcat31]

After calling several Child Care Providers in my area in both Beauregard and Vernon Parishes, I have found out that NONE of them perform any random drug testing on their employees! A few stated, "it's not required by the State". Some didn't even understand what I was talking about, others - at least one - was offended and put off by my questions... she had 16 Staff working in that agency, not to mention the Administrative staff.
One told me the only requirement is upon their initial hiring !

The Child Care Statistics are 4 % of people (ages 18 - 64) admitted to using illegal and legal drugs and/or alcohol in the last month. Those are the ones that got caught (arrested) and were able to contribute to these statistics. It does not include those who have not had any consequences yet from their addictions. That means at least 1 out of every 25 employees admitted they have an substance abuse addiction problem. What about the ones who use drugs and drink every day ? This definitely interferes with their decision making, their patience and tolerance levels - ALL of which are Vital in Caring for young children - especially if they're not their own child !

So they're saying that they are NOT randomly monitoring their Staff who provide direct care 1:1 for our children??? And we PAY these agencies to provide child care Safety ? Most accidents happen in Child Care due to negligence ... You would think they would safeguard their treatment centers and "randomly drug test" their employees.

My Children are important to me and I will not leave them in the care of anyone who doesn't ensure their Absolute Safety Under All Circumstances.

I am currently looking into the laws governing this ... Please help me by starting a chain on this Topic to Get THEIR ATTENTION in keeping our Children Safe from not only sexual predators, but the silent alcoholic and addict who cares more about their drugs than my child.
Thank You ~

When the number rises so will the mandatory testing....until then, upon hiring is all the state requires....
Maybe we should drug test parents on a random basis too? How about grandparents or teachers or camp counselors?

My advice in your search for childcare; Hire a nanny and make one of YOUR personal requirments be random drug testing....

Sorry, I don't want to be part of any chain asking for random drug testing.
I don't know why, but I am offended by this post....

BTW: I am a non-smoker and a non-drinker and a non-drug taker OF ANY KIND!!!

[ammama]

I do not take drugs either, although I do have a glass of wine with supper a couple of times a week, when i'm not pregnant, at least. I would never submit to random drug testing by my agency. It is an invasion of privacy. I don't think it is any of their business if I had a glass of wine last night. It is up to parents to judge the character of their childcare provider.

[KEG123]

What about those who are prescribed medications but abuse them? Those are the hardest ones to find out. I don't want to be a part of anything that randomly drug tests either. I feel it's an invasion of privacy. What if I drink on weekends, should I be charged with that? Don't think so.

[Cat Herder]

Absolutely!! As soon as all the parents that receive childcare assistance have to do the same...

Actually I am tested yearly and have to do a TB, Hep Screen as well for my other job, so I could care less either way....

[nannyde]

Most accidents happen in Child Care due to negligence ...

And most accidents happen in parental care due to negligence.

Parents too? Are you willing to pay as a tax payer to have goverment subsidized random parental drug testing? If parents don't comply it's considered abuse and neglect and they are prosecuted?

Children are much more likely to be harmed in thier cars on the way to day care than they are at day care. Can we drug test anyone who drives a car when kids are on the road?

If we are going to do it then let's do it.

While we are at it lets drug test the babies too. A quick swab to the mouth mucosa for tylenol and advil?



Now THAT would change the face of child care.

[Angelwings36]

I have a drink or two after work 2-3 times a week and have drinks with my gf's on the weekend. Does that mean I am negligant to the children in my care???? I do not support this thread at all and am insulted!

[morgan24]

The day I am required to do a mandatory drug test would be my last day doing daycare.

[MyAngels]

After calling several Child Care Providers in my area in both Beauregard and Vernon Parishes, I have found out that NONE of them perform any random drug testing on their employees! A few stated, "it's not required by the State". Some didn't even understand what I was talking about, others - at least one - was offended and put off by my questions... she had 16 Staff working in that agency, not to mention the Administrative staff.
One told me the only requirement is upon their initial hiring !

The Child Care Statistics are 4 % of people (ages 18 - 64) admitted to using illegal and legal drugs and/or alcohol in the last month. Those are the ones that got caught (arrested) and were able to contribute to these statistics. It does not include those who have not had any consequences yet from their addictions. That means at least 1 out of every 25 employees admitted they have an substance abuse addiction problem. What about the ones who use drugs and drink every day ? This definitely interferes with their decision making, their patience and tolerance levels - ALL of which are Vital in Caring for young children - especially if they're not their own child !

So they're saying that they are NOT randomly monitoring their Staff who provide direct care 1:1 for our children??? And we PAY these agencies to provide child care Safety ? Most accidents happen in Child Care due to negligence ... You would think they would safeguard their treatment centers and "randomly drug test" their employees.

My Children are important to me and I will not leave them in the care of anyone who doesn't ensure their Absolute Safety Under All Circumstances.

I am currently looking into the laws governing this ... Please help me by starting a chain on this Topic to Get THEIR ATTENTION in keeping our Children Safe from not only sexual predators, but the silent alcoholic and addict who cares more about their drugs than my child.
Thank You ~

Seriously - get down off your soapbox and hire a nanny. I'm thinking you can both go get your tests together.

[JenNJ]

Stay home with your child. You clearly have MAJOR trust issues with everyone though only 4% are untrustworthy.

[Yvonne]

Okay.. so you disagree

So be it.
If someone has random drug testing to drive a truck for the Dept of Transportation to ensure public safety ... and bus drivers who drive our school busses. But you disagree on random drug testing for child care workers ? Come on. Get real. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure the safety of their children. Plain and simple. Glad to ruffle some feathers here.
But ya know... as a point of reference. Only 10 people had an opinion - so far - and 10 people do not constitute any majority in my book. So please .. if you have an opinion, try to not personalize your opinions - we're not talking about YOU having a drink after work.... who here actually spoke about the symptoms of addiction? Loss of control, loss of focus and patience, lack of good/sound judgement, inability concentrate, etc. These are all vital in caring for children who frequently act impulsively, become unruly - testing any normal rational adult into check their reactions.

I don't care if you have a drink after dinner. This doesn't make you an alcoholic. But did you know it takes one hour per ounce of alcohol to be broken down by the liver So if you have a bottle of wine after work, it can take as long as 3 hours to be out of your system... go do the math. Or take meds prescribed by your doctor. Opiates (pain killers) show up on drug tests. Marijuana shows up on drug tests. If you have a valid prescription, fine. If you have a problem - and you know your company performs random drug testing, then guess what ??? you probably won't want to work there. Drug testing acts as a deterrent. Works for me.

Get a Nanny ? Get real. I want to be able to send my child to a place where I know Negligence due to Drug abuse can be ruled out. Not guaranteed, but ruled out as a potential hazard. Like putting plugs in light sockets that babies can reach. Good old, smart preventative measures.

[nannyde]

Glad to ruffle some feathers here.

Do you think you are the first person to come up with this?

Why are you leaving your child now with untested employees? Isn't that terribly negligent on your part?

[pinkbunny85]

no offense. but I'm on the fence about this. for centers (which it seems where you are going to send your child) I believe in an inital drug test. and only again if you have probable cause to do another one. like say you have a worker coming in eyes glazed, blood-shot.

also, for a lot of places that do random drug testing they give a bit of notice. at least around here they do. have always given 24 hour notice. and people that do those kinds of things know how to get around it showing up.

[MyAngels]

Who will pay for your random drug tests? It's an expensive thing to impose on centers, let alone home daycare providers. Parents b**ch, moan and complain now about the costs of sending their children to a quality program, do you honestly think they would absorb this cost willingly?

And, as Nannyde said, you are not the first to think of this. There are reasons aplenty that it has never been implemented.

Your figure of 4% of admitted drug users is among the general population, not among child care workers. If you're genuinly concerned, that's the demographic you should look at.