News

How Drug and Alcohol Training Benefits Your Workplace

09 September, 2019

aod training

The strength of your company drug and alcohol policy lies in its proper application. Effective enforcement requires training, and lack of proper training is just as harmful as inconsistency. 

You can have the most well-written drug and alcohol policy guidelines, but if your managers and supervisors lack the proper training to effectively implement it, it’s just as bad as having no policy at all.

While your managers and supervisors may be experts in their field, they are not in illicit drugs. And yet, they carry the responsibility of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment 

Researchers at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) found that managers and supervisors have the power to not only prevent but also potentially exacerbate employee illicit drug use. 

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Does Synthetic Urine Help an Employee Evade Drug Detection?

08 August, 2019

synthetic urine detection

With the growing number of illicit drug users in the country, the methods for evasion are continually evolving. As long as there are drug users, there are people who are actively trying to cheat the system of drug testing, from machines that clean urine or switching out positive urine with clean urine. 

Although not as prevalent in Australia as in the United States, the latest threat to drug tests is synthetic urine. When did this become available to drug users and can drug testing companies detect it?

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Drug use in Australia: Australians spend $9.3 billion on drugs each year

09 July, 2019

drug spending in Australia 2019

It appears Australians are not slowing down their spending on illicit drugs. Annual wastewater reports highlight just how much Australians spent in the last year on the purchase of illicit drugs.

This is the sixth report of its kind and it covers 58 wastewater treatment plants across Australia, including regional sites and cities. The wastewater is tested for 13 substances, and the results are very concerning.

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Cocaine Capital Sydney

14 June, 2019

cocaine in Sydney

Recent drug operations that include arrests and seizures in Sydney highlights once again the residents’ appetite for cocaine, as detailed in an article by Lucy Cormack for The Sydney Morning Herald.

The authorities apprehended 55 people for either buying or selling the drug on the streets of Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs. According to law enforcement, criminal cases involving cocaine are up 7.7 percent.

In a report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, results point to a widening base of cocaine users in the country.

Researchers say the reason could be the drug’s growing acceptability.

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Crime Prevention Committee: Drug Addiction is a Medical Condition

29 May, 2019

drug addiction is a medical condition

Changing the way you look at people with substance abuse disorders is a huge step forward to effectively address methamphetamine use in the country.

In an article by Esther Tan for The Sydney Morning Herald, the inquiry into crystal meth use in the country takes the special commission to Lismore. Here, approximately 130 per 100,000 people were charged with meth offences last year.

Lismore councillor, Mr. Eddie Lloyd believes a change in perspective could help everyone understand the popularity of the drug. For one, he suggests that the public and politicians need to change how we regard those with addiction problems.

“Let’s not go to war,” Mr. Lloyd says.

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New standard released for oral fluid (saliva) workplace drug testing in AUS & NZ

03 April, 2019

drug testing saliva

A new version of AS/NZS4760 has now been released, and contains a number of changes to the requirements for accredited testing for drugs of abuse in oral fluid (saliva).

As with any new standard in workplace drug testing, the change to the new requirements will evolve over the coming months as device manufacturers, on-site testing providers, regulatory bodies and others respond to the updated standard.

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The Truth About Drug Abuse In White Collar Professions

22 March, 2019

truth about drug abuse white collar professions

When thinking of a drug addict, most people picture someone lowly educated and living off crime. However, in Australia, the profile of a drug abuser challenges these stereotypes.

In our country, drug abuse is a problem not exclusive to unemployed or low skilled workers. In fact, there is one sector that is contributing to Australia’s steadily growing drug problem — the white collar professionals. The typical drug user in Australia is a professional with tertiary education.

A report by the National Drug Strategy Household Survey confirms this: a majority of cocaine users are between the ages of 20-39, educated, employed, and living in major cities. In addition, they also belong to the highest socioeconomic status. As Will Tregoning — founder of a non-profit organisation committed to challenging current drug policies — once said: “A lot of wealthy people take drugs.”

Read on to find out the incredible truth about drug abuse in white-collar professions in Australia.

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