In a drug testing program, what does a "positive" drug test result indicate?

A "positive" drug test result specifically indicates the presence of illicit drugs or their metabolites in a person's system above established cutoff levels. This means that the test has identified a quantity of a drug that exceeds the thresholds defined by regulatory guidelines, signaling that the individual has likely used substances that are prohibited under the drug testing policy.

Understanding the context of drug testing is crucial. It is designed to identify not just any traces of drugs but specifically those that can affect safety, performance, and health. The cutoff levels are established to differentiate between incidental exposure or extremely low levels that might not have any meaningful impact and levels that suggest actual use. Only when the detected substances are above these scientific benchmarks can a result be considered "positive," leading typically to further evaluation or potential disciplinary action under policies like those in workplaces or sports organizations.

This explanation clarifies the meaning of a positive result effectively, reinforcing the importance of the established thresholds in drug testing protocols.