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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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.
MDMA use is on the rise in Australia. In a shocking statement, even NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann recently came out about her own experience using drugs.
In her own words: “I’ve occasionally taken MDMA at dance parties and music festivals. I know journalists, tradies, lawyers, public servants, doctors, police and yes, politicians (most well into their forties), who have done the same.”
If Australians in high and respectable positions have taken MDMA — can you be sure that someone in your staff is not an MDMA user?
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Did you know that Australia loses an estimated $6 billion per year in productivity due to alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace?
This according to research published by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Australia.
If you think that this is something that you shouldn’t worry about — think again.
(more…) Read MoreFentanyl — brand names include Durogesic and Actiq — and Oxycodone — brand names include OxyContin and Endone — are prescription-only drugs in Australia.
Both have an effect similar to codeine but are much more powerful and potentially dangerous pain relievers than Codeine. Consequently, they are prescribed much less.
And unlike codeine, routine drug screens such as urine and saliva tests cannot detect Fentanyl and Oxycodone.
These powerful pain relievers have a strong effect on workplace performance. And extremely dangerous when used by someone in safety-specific tasks like driving, flying, and building.
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There is an illegal drug that’s so lethal… that even dealers would say no to it.
It’s called fentanyl.
And it concerns even dealers on the dark web, who sell everything from marijuana to weapons.
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Safework Laboratories has responded to the increase in synthetic or fake urine detection in our laboratories.
At the moment it is a very small percentage of our overall laboratory workload, but the numbers are rising.
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The Federal Greens party in Australia announced that they would push to make cannabis or marijuana legal for all people over 18 years old.
This continues a topic of conversation that has been occurring in Australia for several years. A case made more pressing given the recent legalisation of cannabis in several states in the USA, and the recent legal changes to the status of medicinal cannabis.
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