How will a Urine Drug Test help your organisation?

How will a urine drug test or even a saliva drug test help you and your organisation? Of course, the use of drug testing at worksites in Australia is a relatively new phenomenon and one that many people find problematic and contentious.

Some even see it as a very clear invasion of privacy that erodes the rights of workers and destroys worker unity and the kind of mate ship that can form the basis of heavy industry in Australian industries such as transport and mining and roads.

But let’s consider this issue from another angle. Let’s consider the role of the manager and let’s take a snapshot of a perfectly normal day and a perfectly normal work scenario. Except for one very important factor. And that is that a group of his employees are repeatedly using drugs in their lunch hour.

The Ugly Truth

Mr. Wilkinson is the foreman of a medium to large factory site employing 150 men. There are also a few females in administration, but the bulk of the workers are males. Mr. Wilkinson – or Wilko – as we shall call him, arrives in at the site at 7.00 am every day. He is the first to arrive.

Lately, however, over the past few months, he has noticed a group of employees have been arriving together in one car. They park in the car park and make their way over to the locker room and to clock on. And they have changed. He is concerned some of them are partaking in drug abuse.

Recently also, Wilko has had some loose complaints from two of the administrative staff. They claim their bags have been rifled through and although they cannot prove it, they are sure that some of the cash has been removed from the compartment of one of the handbags. Not all of the cash. But some.

Wilko is concerned that someone is stealing.

He is also concerned that a group of previously responsible apprentice workers are arriving late and dishevelled and seem to have red eyes and slightly pinpricked pupils.

Workplace Drug Testing

What can Wilko actually do? Here are a few clear and straightforward suggestions that can help Wilko deal with the possibility of drug use and associated stealing at his work site:

• Contact a reputable drug and alcohol screening supplier
• Consider available options such a onsite screening or a DIY approach
• Speak with a reputable and trained specialist in the area of alcohol testing and drug testing about the best testing devices
• Source and choose testing devices that suit your workplace
• Develop a  drug screening program based on your workplace demographic
• Develop a screening program based on the size of your workforce
• Develop a screening program based on discussion with all your employees
• Develop a screening program in consultation with union representatives and with OH&S representatives
• Clearly define these developed policies and procedure in writing
• Inform and educate all your employees on the dangers of drugs and alcohol at work.
• For afflicted employees, refer them to such organisations as Lifeline or other online counselling assistance
• Inform all your employees about legislation and laws that cover their workplace

There is a great deal you and someone like Wilko can do to safeguard against drug use and alcohol use. And even though in drug testing Australia is a relatively new phenomenon, it is possible to get the best specialist help.

Contact Mediscreen for more information.  Telephone   1300 797040      

 

Drug and Alcohol use in Australia’s Armed Forces

When one mentions the word “Australian Army” what comes to mind? We think of the Australian army as a highly disciplined force – people of high moral and ethical integrity, people of strength and valour armed to the teeth, keeping vigil on the nation’s air, sea and water borders. We do not think of them as a bunch of generally undisciplined louts with Alcohol Drug Testing abuse. How fair is our expectation that the army be clean as driven snow?

Consider this:

• Drug and alcohol use generally begins in the school and colleges
• Our army recruits from the schools and colleges
• The majority of those opting to join the Australian army are kids who do not fancy bright careers elsewhere.
• Love for guns and explosives seem to be the major reason for joining the Australian army.

The extent of the problem

Given the above background, I except most would reconsider their assessment of the Australian army. This is not to say that young recruits cannot improve or be disciplined once they sign-up. Indeed, most young recruits to the Australian army do change but the sizeable minority drug and alcohol users continue to exist and cause serious trouble.

In fact, the extent of the problem is indicated by the Australian Army’s advertisements seeking to sign-up specialists for eradicating drug and alcohol abuse in the army. Some estimates suggest the number of drug and alcohol abusers in the Australian army could be as high as 57,000. 

In a recent interview, Chief of Army, Ken Gillespie claimed that more Australian soldiers died due to incidents stemming from drug and alcohol abuse then soldiers who died while on duty in Afghanistan.

Clearly, muscle power, drug and alcohol do not mix with guns and explosives. In fact, during a recent basketball tournament near Albury army barracks, it was reported that the players from the Australian army were found to be inebriated and even enacted crude initiation ceremonies. There has also been a spate of charges of sexual harassment against young cadets. Clearly, much needs to be done by the Australian army before successfully eradicating drug and alcohol abuse completely. 

Possible solutions to eradicate the drug and alcohol abuse problem

Some of the possible solutions and ideas being discussed include a more detailed drug screening of new recruits. Any new recruit that found to have a drug and alcohol problem was to be first ‘cured’ of the problem.

Another idea being discussed is to ensure the members of the army were kept adequately busy doing productive work so that they did not have time to indulge in drug and alcohol abuse or behaviour unbecoming of an army officer.

It is hoped some of these and other ideas being offered would be implemented at the earliest and that the Australian army would once again regain the trust and admiration of the nation. 

Does your industry require help with Drug Testing Equipment? Mediscreen can assist   1300 797040