Why do you need it?
Drugs and alcohol use and misuse effect the Australian community and your workforce, in a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey:
- more than 2 in 5 Australians had used at least 1 illegal substance and 16.45% had used one in the last 12 months
- 1 in 4 adults exceeded the single occasion risk guidelines once a month or more
- 8% exceeded the lifetime risk guidelines.
Alcohol and drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity. Recent research has estimated that 2.5 million days are lost annually due to drinking and drug use, at a cost of more than $680 million.
1 in 10 workers say they have been affected by a co-worker’s misuse of alcohol. For example, a reduced ability to do their own job, involvement in an accident or close-call, and having to work extra hours to cover for a co-worker.
Alcohol and drugs can affect a person’s ability to work safely. This includes medicines that are prescribed or over-the-counter.
A comprehensive management strategy is critical to managing this issue particularly. Testing is an important part of a workplace management program for alcohol and other drugs particularly for workplaces with safety critical work. In some industries drug and alcohol testing is mandated in legislation. Testing is generally used as a deterrent, not to catch anyone out, but to influence behaviour due to perceived risk of being caught.
We can facilitate both oral fluid or urine testing. We recommend urine testing as oral fluid testing remains unable to detect some substances unless use if very recent.
Our site or clinic-based testing uses quality devices that meet Australian Standard requirements (for urine) or are as close as possible to oral fluid target levels. In the event of a non-negative screening result, we strongly recommend confirmation testing at a NATA accredited laboratory as per Australian Standard requirements.
We offer site-based testing using trained and competent staff and can deliver NATA certified screening services.
Testing services no matter what the option are seamless. We deliver unannounced testing programs year-round for national organisations or more specific requirements such as during a shutdown.
If you want to discuss this service further or to arrange testing email siteservices@resile.com.au
How does it work?
Alcohol and other drugs testing can be done at our clinic or on your site.
If on your site:
- for oral fluid we will require a small clean room is required with a power source, a desk and two chairs
- for urine testing access to a temporally restricted access bathroom, a small clean room is required with a power source, a desk and two chairs
- we can provide random selection methods if required.
Each worker will be tested individually in private, if there is a non-negative result confirmation testing will be facilitated and Resile can offer Medical Review Officers Services. Statistical report on your screening program can be provided.
