The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is proposing a new rule that would allow federal agencies to use sweat, saliva and hair in federal drug testing programs that now only test urine. SAMHSA's new proposed federal drug testing guidelines re: hair, saliva and sweat testing are now available online here:

“These proposed rules will largely affect federal employees and job applicants in safety and security-related positions,” SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie explained. “Hopefully, federal employees found to be using illegal drugs will seek treatment to allow them to attain a healthy life in the community. At the same time, we believe that drug testing provides a powerful deterrent to the destructive and dangerous conditions drug use creates.”

About 400,000 federal workers in testing designated positions – those who have security clearances, carry firearms, deal with public safety or national security, or are presidential appointees – are drug tested when they apply for jobs. Some are subject to random drug testing during their employment. Other federal employees are tested only if they are involved in a workplace accident or show signs of possible drug use.