More workers caught as drug tests increase

[grace]

WORKPLACE drug screening has increased greatly over the past year, and up to a third of job applicants in some industries have returned positive tests.

 

The drug screening company Integrity Sampling said its workload had quadrupled.

 

The NSW managing director, Ian Jameson, said: "More firms are choosing to do it. In recent times the results have been frightening."

 

On average, 5 per cent of employees at each company had traditionally tested positive to drugs. However, over the past year that figure has almost doubled.

 

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will introduce regulations this month to randomly test its workforce of up to 120,000 people.

 

Mr Jameson said the finance sector had also jumped on board.

 

Statistics had revealed a worrying shift in drug trends, he said.

 

"Historically, the highest detected drug was always cannabis. It has now been replaced by methamphetamine, which includes ecstasy, speed and ice . . . all extremely addictive and destructive. In Sydney, methamphetamine and cocaine use is on the rise, and it looks set to continue during the hard times."

 

The transport company Linfox conducts about 8500 random drug tests each year as part of its Vision Zero policy.

 

In 2007, 31 per cent of applicants for drivers' jobs failed a pre-employment drug test.

 

Widespread drug use has also been detected across rural-based businesses including among fruit pickers, 30 per cent of job hopefuls failing pre-employment saliva drug tests with one Riverina company.

 

Saliva tests are not the only option for workplace testing. New technology can determine an employee's level of impairment by measuring how a person's eyes react to light. It can also determine whether impairment is due to drugs, alcohol, medication, fatigue and sleep deprivation.

 

Anne O'Rourke, the vice-president of the civil liberties group Liberty Victoria, said she was unconvinced about the grounds for supporting widespread testing. eduff@fairfaxmedia.com.au

 

Authors: Eamonn Duff and Joshua Jennings

Date: June 14, 2009

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/more-worker...90613-c6qb.html

[bufo marinus]

Widespread drug use has also been detected across rural-based businesses including among fruit pickers, 30 per cent of job hopefuls failing pre-employment saliva drug tests with one Riverina company.

 

Surely they can't be serious? Fruit pickers? Why the fuck aren't the police drug tested if it's such a big deal?

The Piss Police Industry is fuelled by Insurance companies improving the bottom line for greedy fuck executives and has NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH SAFETY.

[Rocker]

I've tried fruit picking and you need drugs to cope with the slave labour aspect. Very hard work for very little money.

 

Of course the cops are not drug tested in the workplace.

Why not test the drug testers?

Why not test the federal parliament?

 

Why stop at the workers?

[luciddreaming]

Surely they can't be serious? Fruit pickers? Why the fuck aren't the police drug tested if it's such a big deal?

The Piss Police Industry is fuelled by Insurance companies improving the bottom line for greedy fuck executives and has NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH SAFETY.

Of course, would you want some disgusting stoner touching your fruit?

Seriously though,

What....

The....

Fuck....

Never thought you'd have to get tested for one days work or whatever you choose to do. I mean that's for people who can't get any other job, or just need a job over the holidays or something. If they tested everybody who worked, 30-40% of people would be out of work.

 

I say we push for them to test more people , at least then the people who lose their jobs have got nothing to lose and can join us in the fight. Which wouldn't be too hard considering we'd have a majority of people wanting drugs legal.

Edited June 14, 2009 by luciddreaming

[dsyfer]

Welcome to Gattaca...

 

...how long before clean drug tests are required for Centrelink benefits to be paid each fortnight? (my guess is as soon as testing becomes cheap enough)

[luciddreaming]

Yes we must do what that guy did on that movie who's name I can't remember. Develop a strain which is undetectable on any of today's drug tests!

That would drive the costs right up!