Transcript Alcohol and Substance Misuse in the Workplace

Alcohol and Substance Misuse in the Workplace
Jolyon Carmedy
Company Background
Quantum Service
Alcohol and Drug Abuse figures
Testing in the Workplace
Oral Fluid, Urine or Hair testing?
Company Background
Quantum Diagnostics - 2001
Point of care testing kits
Largest range of onsite testing kits – oral fluid drugs of abuse testing,
urine drugs of abuse testing and alcohol testing
Quantum Laboratories (opened by Phil Willis MP – Chairman of the
influential House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee)
Oral Fluid & Urine Chain of Custody testing
Only Independent drug testing company in the UK
Fast and reliable service – results in 24hours
ISO:17025 UKAS accreditation
Achieved in just 2 years
Clients:
Workplace testing – Occupational Health Companies
Largest supplier to the NHS
Drug Treatment Charities
National Probation service
HM Prison service
Private Sector
Drug testing in the workplace
Alcohol abuse costs the UK around £2.3billion in sickness pay and NHS costs
40% of the workplace under the age of 40 have used illicit drugs
(FRANK drug awareness)
UK carries out more drug testing than any other country in Europe
Drug related crime, sickness and absenteeism costs in
excess of £20 billion per year
(Home Office)
27% of UK employers reported problems due to drug misuse in 2000
(Drugscope)
The estimated volume of testing in UK is now
estimated at 250,000 workplace tests per year and
growing.
Workplace policy must outline rules and procedures for substance misuse
testing and list options for dealing with and offering advice on treatment
Police Force (pursuit drivers, armed Police)
Railway Industry (safety critical roles)
Aviation
Construction
Oil Platforms
As well the moral duty of employers to protect employees and members
of the public, General Health and Safety Legislation covers all employers
and workplaces.
In addition, specific duties and obligations are laid out in The Misuse of
Drugs Act 1971.
Under this act:
it is illegal for anyone, whether at work or out with the workplace, to
produce, supply or be in possession of illicit drugs
owners or managers of property may be liable if they allow their premises
to be used for taking, supplying or offering illicit drugs.
Corporate Manslaughter Act 2008
…to hold companies accountable for fatalities
Health & Safety at work Act 1974
Workplace testing
Pre-employment
For cause – accident, suspicion, change in behaviour
Random
Drug distribution
Drug Detection times
Urine
Hair
Oral Fluid
0
0 0.6 1.2 2
3
5
7
9
11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27
29 31 33
Duration in days
Alcohol and Drug testing
Point of care (onsite testing)
Breathalyser results in 10 seconds
Drug testing results in 5 – 9 minutes
Visually read
Easy to use
Fast results
Home Office approved breathalyser
Laboratory testing
Oral fluid and urine testing
Results in 24 hours
Legally defensible results
Chain of custody testing
Collection service available (UK response time of 2 hours)
Features/Benefits
Oral Fluid testing
Urine testing
No testing area required
Testing area required
No testing area required
Male/Female testing
Male/Female testing issue
Male/Female testing
Onsite/Laboratory
Onsite/Laboratory
Laboratory only
Difficult to adulterate
Adulteration checks
Longest detection time
Shorter detection time
Medium detection time
Hair testing
The Benefits of a Workplace Policy
Tackling substance misuse in the workplace can be a daunting and often
complex process. One way of overcoming this is to have a robust drug and
alcohol workplace policy that clearly outlines your company's rules and
procedures for dealing with substance misuse and offers advice on where
and how your employee should seek treatment.
homeoffice.gov.uk
Protects the reputation of the company
Ensure employees are protected
Public safety
Summary
Policy – Foundation of any workplace drug and alcohol program
UKAS accredited Laboratory
Always choose a company that can offer more than 1 testing format/solution
Any Questions?