Overview and Q & A
There is a rapidly increasing awareness of the risks of substance abuse to lives and productivity in the workplace. Employers have a duty of care to ensure a safe working environment for their employees. The statistics only highlight the need for drug testing to ensure a safer, more efficient workplace.
- Drug abusers are significantly more likely to be involved in injuries on the job than non-drug users. (1)
- The probability of having an accident is raised by up to 25% when drug use is a factor. (2)
- Drug abusers are less likely to want to work for companies that have workplace drug testing. (4)
- 50% of fatally injured drivers in Australia have either drugs or alcohol in their system at the time of the accident. (3)
Questions & Answers
For Employers
Why should I drug test?
Where do I start?
Is there a standard for testing?
What about a Policy?
Where can I find an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
What do other companies within my industry do?
What kind of testing should I do?
What different types of testing are available?
Can the testing be done by anyone?
How accurate are your kits?
Do I need a chain of custody?
How much notice do I have to give my employees?
Who should I test?
Does a positive result mean that my employee is impaired?
What should I do if one of my employees tests positive on a screen?
How long will it be until my employee can come back to work?
Where can I get more information?
For Employees
I don't do drugs, why should I be drug tested?
What happens if I test positive?
What could I test positive for?
How long will it take for drugs to get out of my system?
Where can I get more information?
Illict Drugs & Alcohol
The effects of any drug will vary from person to person and can be dependant on factors such as:
- The individual's size, weight and health
- The person's mood
- How the drug is taken
- How much of the drug is taken
- The strength of the drug
- Whether other drugs are taken
- The setting in which the drug is taken, i.e. whether the person is alone or in a setting with other people
Cannabis
Alcohol
Opiates (heroin, codeine)
Benzodiazepines
Ecstasy
Amphetamines
Cocaine
References:
- Kaestner, R., & Grossman,M., The effect of drug use on workplace accidents, (1998) Labour Economics 5, 267-294.
- Hoffman, J., Larison, C., Drugs and the workplace,(1998) NORC University of Chicago publication.
- Drummer, O.H., erostamoulos, J., Batziris, H., Chu, M., Caplehorm, J.R.M., Robertson, M.D., Swann, P., The incidence of drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic crashes, (2003) Forensic Science International, 134, 154-162.
- MacDonald, S, Wells, S., Lothian, S., Comparison of lifestyle and substance abuse use factors related to accidental injuries at work, home and recreational activities,(1998) Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30:1, 21-27. Table adapted from 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (Australia).