• $6 Billion—lost productivity due to Alcohol alone
• $17Billion—cost of both per yr to Aust workplaces
• $3Billion worth of sick days due to AOD per year

• Requires a policy
• Such a policy should take a holistic approach
• Sample policies are available. Testing is only one part of such an approach
• Other strategies shown to have positive benefit*;
  • Health Promotion
  • Brief Interventions
  • Peer Interventions
  • Psychosocial Skills

  _{*source—National Centre for Education & Training on Addiction Flinders University South Australia.}

Use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace mirrors that going in the general community. A sound policy for management including appropriate testing and education will assist in maintaining a safe workplace for all.

Alcohol Testing

• Done in accordance with AS 3587
• View Calibration Certificates
• More about Alcohol testing {how test performed washout if >0% then retest}

Drug Testing—Urine

• Done in accordance with AS/NZS 4308
• Instant (site) Screen or Lab
• Confirmatory Testing (GC/MS or LC/MS)

Drug Testing Saliva

Done in accordance with AS 4760:2019

Currently due to a recent change in the Standard, limited laboratory services are available for oral fluid confirmatory testing. Watch this space for updates.

Analysis

For instant screens this is done by a portable device with detection thresholds in accordance with the relevant standard. For laboratory specimens we use NATA* accredited laboratories.

Interpretive (MRO) Assistance

Drug testing particularly can still be a minefield. Whilst collection and analysis are performed in a standardized way the results need to be interpreted carefully. A medical Review Officer MRO is trained in the interpretation of such results and can provide very helpful advice.

* Urine vs Saliva Testing? Which do you choose?