Recently, you attended a party and learned that a good friend was hired to
work at the local nuclear power plant. Your friend is excited to have full-time
employment and benefits, but he is concerned about having to submit a
urine sample every week before beginning his work. The sample is
required because the Nuclear Safety Act requires sensitive plant
employees to submit to drug and alcohol testing in a safe, medical
environment. Your friend says he does not have anything to hide, but he
does not want to always feel like he has done something wrong. Based on
this week’s reading of Beerman, please explain whether the friend will be
forced to submit to the testing. In addition, since you know that your friend
is a Christian, what considerations should your friend have before he
refuses to submit to the testing?
In the 1980s, drug testing gained popularity especially in government jobs
to ensure safety, productivity, and accountability. Jack M. Beermann,
Administrative Law: What Matters and Why 319 (2nd ed. 2020). Submitting
a drug and alcohol test is a requirement that is not only limited to
employees working in nuclear plants but extends to other industries, such
as railroads, where safety is highly important, as established in the Skinner
v. Railway Labor Executives Association case. The ruling in this case
highlights the need to ensure safety in high-risk environments, which in turn
justifies such testing policies. Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives
Association, 489 U.S. 602 (1989) & Jack M. Beermann, Administrative
Law: What Matters and Why 320 (2nd ed. 2020). Furthermore, when
researching the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations and the
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, formally known as the Nuclear Safety
Act, it looks like there is a mandate of drug and alcohol testing to ensure
that employees are fit to perform their duty and are not impaired while
performing safety-sensitive tasks. U.S.NRC, Part 26- Fitness For Duty
Programs, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (September 25,
2023), https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part026/full-
text.html#part026-0031 & U.S.NRC, History, United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (September 10, 2021), https://www.nrc.gov/about-
nrc/history.html.
From a biblical perspective, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV).
This verse highlights the drive, passion and dedication one should wield
when completing work, school, or daily activities. Even when tasks are not
enjoyable, they are still opportunities to serve God. As God’s children, our
faith collides with all aspects of life which in turn leads to a deeper, more
fulfilling, and purposeful life through Christ while still encouraging spiritual
growth. Furthermore, Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV) says that even when
confronted with difficult situations, God's children are encouraged to face
those challenges with faith in mind, understanding that they will be
rewarded in heaven as it would outweigh any discomforts experienced on
Earth. Now while my friend’s concern about having to submit to a drug test
weekly is understandable, based on research, Beermann and the legal
framework, he will be required to comply with the testing policy and would
not be able to avoid it. If he refuses to submit to the drug test this could
lead to legal or professional consequences. Therefore, it would be
important for him to weigh the spiritual value of complying with the law
against his concerns about the process as Romans 13:1-7 teaches that
governing authorities are appointed by God for the greater good. All in all,
the drug and alcohol test are not a personal judgment but rather a
necessary measure to ensure safety for all.
