Aug 26

Stimulated by a requirement to assure well-being, safety and health of employees and visitors, workplace drugs policies have come to be noticeably familiar around the British Isles. But nevertheless, there still persist numerous myths surrounding the strategy, that can result in concern amongst the members of staff being tested.

Random Drug and Alcohol Screening – Precisely where is the danger?

Some people get the idea that the influence of drugs of abuse in the workplace is a trivial issue. Pretty much everybody has been exposed to Christmas time anti-drink-driving television advertisements and as a result, bear in mind that drug driving and drink-driving is hazardous, so can’t we depend upon the public’s judgement? Unfortunately, in the region of one-half of all workplace and road fatalities across Britain relate to drinking, drug misuse, or both. Recent available data prove that roughly two thirds of illegal drug users are in full-time employment, which means that the average illegal drug misuser is, in a sense, the typical employee. The latest Home Office statistics put the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds that have used drugs in the most recent 12 months at a staggering 50% of the population. In light of this fact, this shouldn’t be viewed as somebody else’s problem, as it impacts each and every single place of work. Although the consumption of illegal substances may not by default suggest risk-taking and irresponsible attitudes within the work environment, it does dramatically heighten the probability of accidents and near misses, absenteeism and attendance issues, a reduction in productivity, damage to equipment and stock, compensation claims and a much higher turnover of employees.

Random Drug and Alcohol Screening – So what do you suggest? Isn’t employee drug testing difficult to do?

Plenty of businesses only perform diagnostic tests in the event of an accident, a near miss or incident, or when they have reasonable grounds for concern that an employee is potentially unsafe for active duty. Given the substantial assortment of potential hazards within industrial work environments, lots of managers believe it completely acceptable to conduct workplace drug and alcohol screening on such occurrences, in order to avoid them occurring ever again.

In contrast, random employee drug screening brings testing to the next degree, whereby a fraction of the employees is randomly selected to volunteer an urine and breath sample. It may seem a little heavy-handed, though it is actually pretty typical for as little as 5% of the staff to be screened up to once every 12 month period. This means that only one in 20 individuals being tested, or perhaps, as an employee, your odds of being actually screened might be just once each 20 years. Incredibly, such marginal testing has been demonstrated to decrease positivity rates from as high as forty six percent down to as low as just 2% in as little as only a couple of months. This strongly suggests that the run of the mill substance misuser present in the work environment is not addicted, but is purely making choices about their lifestyle which could be steered toward a better outcome.

Random Drug and Alcohol Screening. Might this be regarded as an infringement of an individuals’ human rights?

While some employees may be hesitant at first regarding the thought of workplace testing, many comprehend that this is being performed in order to guarantee the safety of anybody in the workplace. So long as the level of on-site drug testing is comparable to the possible dangers found in the workplace and does not deliberately impact upon employee leisure time, it does not represent a danger to staff human rights. Across the United States of America, around ninety eight percent of the biggest 1000 organisations drug and alcohol screen their workers without any issues.

Where is the harm while recreationally using illegal drugs outside of the workplace?

Several illegal substances have created a less dangerous image by virtue of their glamorised portrayal throughout the nation’s radio, television and newspapers. Without a doubt, expressions such as “recreational cocaine use” can cause a significant deal of harm in misinforming people. For a large amount of individuals, cocaine is actually more habit-forming than heroin and, as a result can’t be taken on a recreational basis without significant risk of addiction. Dependence aside, the purity of cocaine has reduced from approximately forty five percent purity in 2004 down to a mere 25% purity as of 2010 (with purity at an all-time low of 9 percent being reported). Even more worryingly, the chemicals used to add mass to the cocaine can be anything from dangerous anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, pet worming agents, all the way through to to insecticides. The unfortunate fact is that you can never ever trust a drug dealer.

Even substances previously deemed to be soft drugs still carry risks. At the present time in the UK, 92% of individuals admitted for treatment for mental illness are heavy users of cannabis. bearing this in mind, workplace drugs screening seriously possesses the potential to take on wider antisocial and health related concerns as it eventually is more commonplace.

To read more on on-site drug screening and home drug test kits, see www.drug-aware.com

Information about the author: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Random Drug and Alcohol Screening, drugs and alcohol screening devices, lab services as well as alcohol and drugs awareness training. He has personally trained literally thousands of delegates across hundreds of companies, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and mental health units throughout the United Kingdom.

Aug 26

Encouraged by a commitment to guarantee well-being, safety and health of employees, company drugs policies have eventually become more and more popular throughout Britain. But unfortunately, there are still a number of myths associated with the strategy, that might trigger an uneasiness among the workforce involved in the process.

Workplace Alcohol and Drugs Tests – Precisely where is the risk?

The majority of people think that the influence of street drugs in the average workplace is a very minor issue. Everybody has been exposed to Christmas drink-driving television campaigns and as a consequence, understand that drink-driving and drug-driving is hazardous, so shouldn’t we be able to trust in the public’s common sense? Regrettably, a staggering 50% of all roadside and industrial deaths across the UK are connected with alcohol, street drugs, or both together. Latest statistics show that about 70% of substance misusers are engaged in full-time employment, suggesting that the average illegal drug abuser is, essentially, the typical employee. The recent Home Office statistics place the volume of 16 to 29-year-olds that have indulged in illicit drugs in the previous 12 months at just over 50% of the population. On that basis, this isn’t someone else’s issue, it involves virtually every workplace. While the recreational use of narcotics might not necessarily suggest irresponsible attitudes within the working environment, this does substantially magnify the probability of accidents and incidents, attendance issues and absenteeism, a marked reduction in productivity, damage to plant and equipment, litigation and a much higher turnover of workforce.

Workplace Alcohol and Drugs Tests – What do you suggest? Isn’t random drug and alcohol screening rather complicated?

A lot of companies only perform an employee drug test in the event of a workplace accident, an incident, or when they have reasonable cause for concern or suspect that a worker is possibly unsafe or unfit for duty. Because of the substantial variety of potential threats found within industrial work environments, a lot of workplaces judge it to be perfectly logical to conduct workplace testing on these occasions, in order to prevent them from happening in the future.

However, random employee drug testing takes screening a stage further, wherein a predetermined sample of the employees is selected at random to volunteer an urine and breath sample. This might sound a little heavy-handed, but it is actually very commonplace for only 5% of the staff to be drug screened up to once every 12 month period. This is the same as only one in 20 individuals being tested, as an alternative, as a member of staff, your probability of being subject to a test would be just a single time in each 20 years. As incredible as it seems, this form of minimalistic screening has indeed been documented to lessen rates of failure from as high as 46% down to a low of just 2% in only a couple of months. This strongly suggests that the run of the mill drug misuser present in the average company isn’t hopelessly addicted and unable to change, but is merely making decisions about their lifestyle that may be influenced towards a more agreeable conclusion.

Workplace Alcohol and Drugs Tests. Is this perceived to be an infringement of a person’s civil liberties and human rights?

Although some individuals within the company could be initially resistant to the likelihood of testing, the significant majority are aware that this is primarily carried out to guarantee the safety of everyone throughout the workplace. So long as the extent of screening is proportionate to the risks inside the business and doesn’t intentionally disrupt staff personal time, it isn’t considered to pose a danger to employee human rights. When it comes to the US, beyond 98% of the top 1000 companies drug test their workers without any controversy.

Where is the harm while misusing narcotics away from the working environment?

Plenty of illegal substances have certainly created a softer image as a consequence of their glamorised portrayal in nationwide magazines and newspapers. In reality, phrases including “recreational cocaine use” cause a significant amount of harm due to it downplaying the dangers to consumers. For many teenagers, cocaine as a drug is more addictive than heroin and, for this reason cannot be abused recreationally without having considerable threat of falling prey to addiction. Dependence aside, cocaine purity has reduced from a typical 45 percent purity in 2004 down to just twenty five percent purity in 2010 (with purity at an all-time low of 9 percent currently being reported). Even more alarmingly, the powders used to bulk out the cocaine can range from dangerous anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, cat worming chemicals, through to dangerous insecticides. The unfortunate fact is you should never ever trust a drug dealer.

Indeed, drugs previously deemed to be soft drugs still carry dangers. At present in England and Scotland, a whopping 92% of people taken in for treatment for mental illness are heavy users of cannabis. bearing this in mind, workplace drug and alcohol testing ultimately possesses the potential to attack wider social and mental health issues when it comes to be more common.

To discover more about company drugs and alcohol policies as well as home drug test kits, pay a visit to www.drug-aware.com

Author biography: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Workplace Alcohol and Drugs Tests, alcohol and drug testing equipment, lab services and drug awareness training. He has personally trained literally thousands of delegates from hundreds of companies, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and drug treatment centres throughout the country.

Aug 26

Pressed by a requirement to safeguard safety, well-being and health of employees and contractors, employee drugs policies have grown noticeably commonplace within Britain. Be that as it may, there still persist numerous myths surrounding the system, that could produce misgivings amongst the members of staff subject to testing.

Drugs Tests In The Workplace – So, where are the dangers?

Lots of individuals presume that the influence of illicit drugs in the modern workplace is a very minor matter. We all have caught a glimpse of Christmas drink-driving commercials and bear in mind that drink-driving and drug-driving is hazardous, so shouldn’t we be able to rely on everyone’s judgement? Alas, about half of all industrial and road fatalities around the UK relate to alcohol, illicit drugs, or both. Up to date stats reveal that about 70% of drug abusers are in full-time employment, which means that the average drug user is, in a sense, the typical member of staff. Present-day Home Office stats estimate the number of 16 to 29-year-olds who have indulged in controlled drugs throughout the previous 12 months at in excess of 50%. In light of this fact, this isn’t somebody else’s issue, it affects pretty much every work environment. Whilst the occasional use of illicit drugs doesn’t automatically mean irresponsibility within the place of work, this does greatly magnify the likelihood of workplace accidents and near misses, attendance issues, a marked reduction in productivity, damages to equipment and stock, litigation and a more significant turnover of personnel.

Drugs Tests In The Workplace – What should we do? Isn’t workplace alcohol and drug testing difficult to do?

Plenty of businesses only conduct an employee drug screen in response to a significant damage to property or an injury, an incident or near miss, or in the event they find reasonable cause for concern or suspect that an employee is unfit to be operating machinery. Because of the substantial variety of potential dangers associated with heavy industrial business premises, numerous companies believe it to be perfectly acceptable to carry out workplace drug testing on these occurrences, in order to prevent them happening in the future.

Of course, random alcohol and drug tests takes drug testing the workplace a stage further, where a predetermined proportion of the personnel is randomly selected to provide a sample of urine and/or breath. This sounds a little heavy-handed, but it is very commonplace for as little as five percent of the workforce to be drug screened up to once in every year. This would mean that just one in 20 people being tested, or perhaps, as a member of staff, your chance of being subject to a screen would likely be just a single time each 20 years. Miraculously, this kind of infrequent testing has been demonstrated to lessen failure rates from as high as forty six percent down to as little as just 2% in just a couple of months. This just shows that the typical drug abuser found within the working environment isn’t hopelessly addicted to drugs, but is just making choices about their lifestyle that can be steered in the direction of a more agreeable outcome.

Drugs Tests In The Workplace. Could this be regarded as an invasion of a person’s civil Liberties?

While certain members of staff can be hesitant at first regarding the prospect of on-site drug screening, the majority of them support the fact that this will be carried out in order to safeguard the health and safety of everybody throughout the company. As long as the level of on-site drug testing is in proportion to the possible dangers inside the work environment and doesn’t intentionally interfere with staff time outside of work, it shouldn’t represent a threat to people’s human rights. In the US, around ninety eight percent of the most successful 1000 organisations drug screen their work force without any problems.

So where is the harm in using drugs away from the workplace?

Quite a few street drugs have certainly created a softer image due to their continued exposure in the nation’s media. Of course, phrases such as “recreational cocaine use” have been known to cause a significant amount of harm due to it downplaying the risks to young people. For a large amount of young people, cocaine as a drug is unexpectedly more habit-forming than heroin and can not be abused on a recreational basis without major risk of falling prey to addiction. Dependence aside, the purity of cocaine has reduced from an average of 45 percent cocaine concentration in 2004 down to about 25% purity in 2010 (with cocaine purity as low as nine percent currently being reported). Shockingly, the added cutting agents used to cut the powdered cocaine can range from local anaesthetics, carcinogenic pharmaceuticals, animal worming chemicals, through to dangerous insecticides. The unfortunate fact is that you should certainly never rely on a drug dealer.

Indeed, substances usually perceived to be soft drugs can still carry dangers. Right now in England and Scotland, a whopping 92% of people accepted for therapy for mental health problems are heavy users of cannabis. bearing this in mind, on-site drug testing undeniably possesses the realistic opportunity to attack wider community and mental health issues as it eventually is more widely implemented.

Discover more about employee drug screening as well as home drug test kits, stop by www.drug-aware.com

Author biography: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Drugs Tests In The Workplace, alcohol and drug testing devices, lab services and also drug awareness training sessions. He has instructed literally thousands of delegates across hundreds of organisations, HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and GP surgeries throughout the United Kingdom.

Aug 26

Motivated by a desire to provide health, safety and well-being of contractors and employees, business drug screening has come to be more commonplace across the UK. Yet, there are still a significant number of misconceptions associated with the system, which can lead to an uneasiness among the staff being screened.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training For Employers – Exactly where are the risks?

Lots of individuals think that the effect of alcohol and drugs throughout the average workplace is a trivial matter. Each and every one of us has been exposed to Christmas anti-drink-driving commercials and as a result, understand that drink-driving and drug-driving is dangerous, so can’t we rely on everyone’s judgement? Unfortunately, around one-half of all roadside and industrial fatalities across England and Scotland relate to drink, drugs, or both together. Latest stats reveal that about 70 % of drug abusers are in full-time work, meaning that the average illegal drug misuser is, in a sense, the average member of staff. Freshly released Home Office statistics estimate the volume of 16 to 29-year-olds that have abused narcotics within the last 12 months at in excess of 50% of the population. In light of this fact, you can’t treat this as somebody else’s issue, because it involves pretty much every working environment. While the use of illicit substances doesn’t automatically point to risk-taking and irresponsibility within the work environment, this does significantly increase the chance of accidents and incidents, attendance issues, a reduction in productivity, damages to machinery and wasted materials, compensation claims and a faster turnover of employees.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training For Employers – So what is your recommendation? Isn’t workplace alcohol and drug testing operationally disruptive?

Many companies only conduct a workplace drug test after an injury or significant damage to property, a near miss or incident, or if they find reasonable cause for concern or suspicion that a worker may be unfit for duty. Due to the vast cross section of possible hazards found within industrial sites, many workplaces view it as wholly prudent to perform screening on these occasions, as a measure to prevent them occurring in future.

Of course, random employee drug testing takes on-site drug screening to the next level, whereby a percentage of the personnel is picked at random to provide an urine sample. This may sound a little intrusive, but it is very commonplace for as few as five percent of the workforce to be screened up to once in every 12 month period. this is equivalent to only one in 20 staff being drug screened, or maybe, as a member of staff, your probability of being subject to a test might be just once each 20 years. Miraculously, this style of marginal screening has been demonstrated to decrease failure rates from as much as 46% down to a low of 2% within only a handful of months. This just shows that the typical drug abuser found in the work environment is not hopelessly addicted and unable to change, but is just making choices about their lifestyle which may possibly be adjusted toward a more positive outcome.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training For Employers. Should this be perceived as an infringement of an individuals’ human rights and civil liberties?

Although a few individuals within the company may be hesitant at first regarding the likelihood of on-site drug screening, the bulk of them support the fact that this is being carried out to assure the health and safety of everybody in the business. Provided the volume of on-site drug testing is proportionate to the possible dangers throughout the business and does not intentionally disrupt employee time outside of work, it isn’t considered to represent a threat to and employee’s human rights. Around the United States of America, around ninety eight percent of the leading 1000 organisations drug screen their staff without any problems.

Where is the harm while abusing narcotics outside of the working environment?

Various illegal drugs have certainly created a softer image by virtue of their frequent coverage within the nation’s newspapers and television. In reality, expressions such as “recreational cocaine use” have been known to cause a significant amount of harm due to it downplaying the risks to people. For many young people, snorting cocaine is actually more habit-forming than heroin and, as a result cannot be taken recreationally without having significant threat of dependency. Dependence aside, cocaine purity has dropped from an average 45% cocaine concentration in 2004 down to roughly 25% purity in 2010 (with the purity of cocaine as low as 9% being reported currently). Alarmingly, the chemicals that the dealers use to add mass to the cocaine can be anything from local anaesthetics, cancer-causing chemicals, cat worming agents, through to dangerous insecticides. The bottom line is you should certainly never trust a drug dealer.

Even substances generally deemed to be soft drugs often still carry risks. Currently in United Kingdom, a staggering 92% of individuals accepted for therapy for mental health problems are regular users of cannabis. With this in mind, on-site drug screening definitely possesses the potential to tackle wider community and health problems as it becomes more commonplace.

For more information on workplace drug and alcohol policies as well as home drug testing kits, go to www.drug-aware.com

Author biography: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a provider of Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training For Employers, drugs and alcohol test kits, lab services along with alcohol and drugs awareness training courses. He has trained literally thousands of delegates spanning hundreds of businesses, HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals across the United Kingdom.

Aug 26

Provoked by a need to ensure well-being, health and safety of employees, employee alcohol and drugs testing has come to be noticeably commonplace around England and Wales. But unfortunately, there still persist a number of myths surrounding the strategy, that could cause worry amongst the workforce being screened.

Drugs and Alcohol Tests At Work – Where exactly is the hazard?

Lots of people estimate that the influence of controlled drugs throughout the working environment is a minor problem. Each and every one of us has caught a glimpse of Christmas time anti-drink-driving commercials and bear in mind that drink-driving and drug-driving is illegal and dangerous, so shouldn’t we be able to rely upon the public’s common sense? Sorry to say, around one-half of all road and industrial fatalities within England and Wales are connected with alcohol, illegal drugs, or a combination of both. Recent research reveal that in excess of 70% of illegal drug users are in full-time work, meaning that the average illegal drug abuser is, in a sense, the typical member of staff. Recently available Home Office figures place the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds that have abused drugs in the most recent 12 months at a staggering 50% of the population. Therefore, it is irresponsible to view this as somebody else’s concern, because it impacts virtually every work environment. While the intermittent use of narcotics doesn’t by default point to a tendency to ignore hazards within the work environment, this does noticeably heighten the chance of workplace accidents and incidents, attendance and punctuality issues, reduced productivity, damage to machinery and wasted materials, being involved in a lawsuit and a faster turnover of workforce.

Drugs and Alcohol Tests At Work – What is your recommendation? Isn’t drug testing in the workplace operationally disruptive?

Plenty of organizations only administer employee drug screening in response to an accident in the workplace, an incident, or in the event that they find reasonable grounds for concern or suspect that a colleague is unsafe or unfit to be in the workplace. Given the broad range of possible hazards found at industrial business premises, a lot of managers believe it to be entirely prudent to perform testing on such occasions, as a way to prevent them occurring in the future.

However, random testing takes testing the workplace to the next degree, whereby a predetermined proportion of the personnel is picked at random to provide a sample of urine and/or breath. It may seem invasive, however, it is very common for as little as 5% of the personnel to be screened up to once per year. This means that just one in 20 individuals being drug tested, or maybe, as a member of staff, your probability of being subject to a test may be just a single time every 20 years. Incredibly, this form of minimalistic screening has already been shown to reduce rates of positivity from as high as 46% down to as little as two percent within only a handful of months. This highlights that the typical substance abuser found within the average business is not hopelessly addicted and unable to change, but is just making lifestyle decisions which may possibly be changed toward a more agreeable outcome.

Drugs and Alcohol Tests At Work. Is this often considered to be an infringement of the person’s human rights and civil liberties?

Whilst certain individuals within the business could be resistant at first to the likelihood of testing, most recognise that this will be performed to improve upon the well-being of everyone within the company. Provided that the degree of on-site drug testing is proportionate to the perils found in the company and doesn’t intentionally disrupt staff leisure time, it isn’t considered to pose a danger to individuals’ human rights. Around the United States, over ninety eight percent of the largest 1000 companies drug screen their work force without any problems.

So where is the danger when abusing drugs outside of work?

Several illicit drugs have certainly established a softer image as a consequence of their glamorised portrayal within countrywide television, radio and newspapers. Of course, terminologies such as “recreational cocaine use” bring about a great deal of harm in glossing over the dangers to people. For some young people, snorting cocaine is even more addictive than heroin and, as a result can not be used recreationally without significant risk of getting addicted. Addiction aside, cocaine purity has fallen from an average 45 percent purity in 2004 to around twenty five percent purity as of 2010 (with cocaine purity at an all-time low of 9% reported). Even more worryingly, the compounds that dealers use to add mass to the powdered cocaine often range from local anaesthetics, carcinogenic chemicals, pet worming agents, all the way through to to dangerous insecticides. The bottom line is you can certainly never trust a drug dealer.

Even substances usually deemed to be soft drugs nevertheless carry risks. At present in United Kingdom, a whopping 92% of individuals accepted for treatment for mental health issues are heavy cannabis users. With this in mind, workplace alcohol and drug testing undeniably possesses the potential to deal with wider social and health related concerns when it comes to be more common.

To read more on workplace drug and alcohol policy and home drug screening kits, check out www.drug-aware.com

About the author: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Drugs and Alcohol Tests At Work, drugs and alcohol screening devices, lab services and also drug awareness training sessions. He has taught literally thousands of delegates spanning hundreds of businesses, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and drug treatment centres across the country.

Aug 25

Propelled by a commitment to ensure well-being, health and safety of employees and contractors, random substance misuse testing has eventually become more and more familiar within Britain. However, there still persist a number of myths relating to the practice, that can most likely trigger doubt amongst the personnel subject to screening.

Employee Drug Testing – So, where are the hazards?

Lots of people make the assumption that the effect of drugs in the average workplace is a minor issue. Pretty much everybody has been exposed to Christmas drink-driving campaigns and as a result, appreciate that drug driving and drink-driving isn’t safe, so isn’t it possible to depend upon people’s judgement? Sorry to say, as much as 50% of all workplace and road fatalities within the UK involve drink, drug misuse, or both. Up to date statistics show that well over 70 % of illegal drug users are engaged in full-time jobs, meaning that the average substance misuser is, basically, the typical staff member. Previous Home Office reports estimate the number of 16 to 29-year-olds who used illegal drugs within the previous year at in excess of 50% of the population. In light of this, this shouldn’t be viewed as somebody else’s concern, it has an impact upon just about every single workplace. Although the consumption of illegal substances doesn’t necessarily suggest a tendency to ignore risks within the workplace, it does dramatically magnify the probability of workplace accidents, attendance and punctuality problems, a drop in productivity, damages to workplace equipment, litigation and a much higher turnover of personnel.

Employee Drug Testing – What is realistic? Isn’t random drug testing complicated to set up?

A lot of organizations only carry out screening in the event of an industrial accident, an incident or near miss, or in cases where they find reasonable grounds for concern or suspect that a worker could be unfit or unsafe to be operating machinery. Because of the large assortment of possible risks associated with heavy industrial company premises, many workplaces judge it to be perfectly logical to trigger workplace drug and alcohol screening on these occurrences, in order to avoid them from happening ever again.

Of course, random employee drug testing takes on-site drug testing a stage further, where a certain proportion of the workforce is randomly picked to produce a breath and urine sample. You may see this as a little heavy-handed, but it is actually very commonplace for just 5% of the workforce to be tested up to once every 12 month period. This is the same as just one in 20 staff being drug and alcohol screened, or maybe, as a member of staff, your chance of being subject to a screen would likely be once every 20 years. As incredible as it seems, such infrequent screening has already been proven to lower positivity rates from a high of 46% down to a low of two percent in only a couple of months. This just shows that the commonplace substance abuser found in the average business is not addicted to drugs, but is merely making lifestyle decisions which may possibly be reshaped in the direction of a better outcome.

Employee Drug Testing. Can this be perceived to be an invasion of an individuals’ civil Liberties?

While certain individuals on the payroll are hesitant at first regarding the thought of on-site drug testing, most understand that this is primarily conducted in order to improve the well-being of everybody in the work environment. So long as the degree of on-site drug screening is in proportion to the hazards inside the workplace and doesn’t intentionally interfere with personnel life outside of work, it will not pose a danger to employee human rights. Across America, more than ninety eight percent of the largest 1000 organisations drug and alcohol test their members of staff without any controversy.

Is there really any risk when misusing illegal drugs away from your job?

Numerous illicit drugs have certainly created a less dangerous image as a consequence of their continued exposure throughout countrywide media. Indeed, expressions including “recreational cocaine use” cause a great amount of harm in misinforming young people. For a significant proportion of young people, cocaine is more habit forming than heroin and cannot be used on a recreational basis without significant risk of addiction. Dependency aside, the level of cocaine purity has reduced from approximately 45 percent cocaine content in 2004 to a low of a mere 25% purity as of 2010 (with the purity of cocaine being as low as 9% being reported currently). Shockingly, the added cutting agents that dealers use to increase the volume of the powdered cocaine often range from local anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, pet worming powders, through to dangerous insecticides. The reality is you can never ever trust a drug dealer.

Indeed, drugs generally deemed to be soft drugs often still carry risks. In recent years in United Kingdom, a shocking 92% of people accepted for therapy for mental health issues are regular users of cannabis. With this in mind, workplace drug and alcohol screening ultimately has the realistic potential to deal with wider social and health problems when it comes to be more common.

For more information on employee drug testing along with home drug testing kits, check out www.drug-aware.com

Regarding the author: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Employee Drug Testing, alcohol and drug testing kits, lab services together with alcohol and drugs awareness training. He has educated literally thousands of delegates spanning hundreds of organisations, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and mental health units across the country.

Aug 25

Provoked by a desire to ensure safety, well-being and health of contractors and employees, random drug screening has become increasingly commonplace in Great Britain. Even so, there still persist an abundance of myths relating to the practice, which may result in misgivings amongst the staff subject to testing.

Alcohol and Drugs Information At Work – Just where are the threats?

Numerous people suppose that the impact of drugs within the modern working environment is a minor matter. We have all taken notice of Christmas time drink-driving TV campaigns and as a result, bear in mind that drug driving and drink-driving is dangerous, so shouldn’t we be able to rely upon people’s common sense? Regrettably, a staggering 50% of all industrial and road deaths throughout the UK relate to drink, drugs, or both. Present research reveal that beyond 70% of substance abusers are engaged in full-time employment, meaning that the average drug misuse is, basically, the typical member of staff. Published Home Office stats put the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds who have used drugs throughout the previous 12 months at a staggering 50% of that age range. So, this isn’t somebody else’s problem, it has an impact upon pretty much every workplace. Whilst the recreational use of drugs of abuse may not automatically imply a tendency to ignore risks within the business, it does drastically magnify the probability of accidents, attendance issues, a reduction in productivity, damage to plant and equipment, litigation and a larger turnover of personnel.

Alcohol and Drugs Information At Work – What do you suggest? Isn’t employee alcohol and drug testing operationally disruptive?

A lot of companies only perform workplace drug screening in response to a workplace accident, a near miss or incident, or whenever they have reasonable grounds for concern or suspicion that an employee is potentially unfit or unsafe for active duty. Because of the vast cross section of prospective dangers found within industrial workplaces, lots of workplaces view it as entirely fair to perform workplace testing on these occurrences, in order to prevent them from happening in the future.

However, random drug screening takes on-site testing to the next degree, whereby a certain percentage of the personnel is randomly selected to volunteer an urine sample. It might sound intrusive, but it is quite normal for only 5% of the workforce to be drug tested up to once in every year. This means that just one in 20 staff being drug and alcohol screened, or else, as an individual, your odds of being actually tested could be just a single time every 20 years. Incredibly, this kind of infrequent testing has indeed been shown to lessen failure rates from as high as forty six percent down to as little as only 2% in as little as just a handful of months. This could indicate that the commonplace substance abuser found within the average business is not addicted, but is simply making decisions about their lifestyle that could be adjusted in the direction of a more positive conclusion.

Alcohol and Drugs Information At Work. Is this often viewed as an invasion of a person’s civil Liberties?

Whilst some members of staff are hesitant at first regarding the prospect of on-site drug screening, most comprehend that this will be performed in order to ensure the well-being of everyone within the working environment. So long as the volume of screening is proportional to the threats throughout the company and does not intentionally disrupt staff life outside of work, it will not represent a danger to individuals’ human rights. In America, around 98% of the most successful 1000 organisations drug test their personnel without any controversy.

Where is the danger while misusing drugs outside of your job?

Various illegal drugs have already established a softer image as a consequence of their frequent mentions throughout national television, radio and newspapers. Without a doubt, terminologies such as “recreational cocaine use” are responsible for a significant amount of harm in downplaying the dangers to the general public. For a lot of people, snorting cocaine is more habit-forming than heroin and can not be taken on a recreational basis without major risk of dependency. Dependency aside, cocaine purity has reduced from approximately 45% purity in 2004 to roughly twenty five percent purity as of 2010 (with cocaine purity as low as 9 percent reported). Even more alarmingly, the chemicals that dealers use to increase the mass of the cocaine can range from dangerous anaesthetics, carcinogenic pharmaceuticals, cat worming chemicals, all the way through to to dangerous insecticides. The reality is that you can never ever place confidence in a drug dealer.

In fact, substances usually deemed soft drugs often still carry risks. At the present time in England and Scotland, a dramatic 92% of people admitted for therapy for mental illness are heavy cannabis users. With this in mind, workplace alcohol and drug testing unquestionably possesses the realistic ability to take on wider antisocial and health related concerns when it comes to be more widely accepted.

Read all about workplace drug testing together with home drug screening kits, visit www.drug-aware.com

Regarding the author: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Alcohol and Drugs Information At Work, drug and alcohol test devices, laboratory services and also drugs and alcohol awareness education. He has instructed literally thousands of delegates spanning hundreds of companies, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and drug treatment centres across the country.

Aug 25

Motivated by a necessity to guarantee safety, well-being and health of visitors and employees, random drugs screening has become more familiar within the British Isles. Yet, there still persist several misunderstandings relating to the process, that might trigger apprehension among the employees being screened.

Drugs Testing At Work – Where is the risk?

Most people presume that the influence of misused drugs within the modern workplace is a very minor concern. Everyone has taken notice of Christmas time anti-drink-driving television campaigns and appreciate that drink-driving and drug-driving is hazardous, so isn’t it possible to count on most people’s common sense? Unfortunately, roughly fifty percent of all workplace and road fatalities around Great Britain involve alcohol, street drugs, or both together. Modern reports prove that around 70% of drug misusers are engaged in full-time work, meaning that the average substance misuser is, basically, the typical staff member. More recent Home Office reports place the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds who have used illicit drugs within the previous 12 months at around fifty percent of that age range. Therefore, it is irresponsible to view this as somebody else’s concern, because it involves each and every place of work. Although the indulgence in narcotics does not automatically mean irresponsible attitudes within the company, it does considerably magnify the probability of accidents and near misses, attendance and punctuality problems, reduced productivity, damage to workplace equipment, litigation and a faster turnover of workforce.

Drugs Testing At Work – What is realistic? Isn’t employee drug and alcohol testing difficult to do?

Lots of businesses only administer an employee drug test in the event of a workplace accident, an incident, or whenever they have reasonable cause for concern or suspect that a member of staff is potentially unfit to be in the workplace. Because of the large assortment of possible risks within industrial companies, many companies believe it entirely logical to trigger workplace testing on these occasions, in order to avoid them from happening in future.

On the other hand, random employee drug screening brings on-site screening to the next level, wherein a predetermined sample of the personnel is picked at random to produce an urine sample. It may seem invasive, but it is very commonplace for as little as five percent of the staff to be screened up to once per year. This means that just one in 20 individuals being drug and alcohol tested, or perhaps, as an individual, your odds of being screened may be once every 20 years. As amazing as it seems, such minimalistic testing has indeed been confirmed to lessen failure rates from a high of forty six percent down to a low of only 2% inside of only a handful of months. This just shows that the average drug user found in the average company is not addicted to drugs, but is just simply making lifestyle decisions that can be steered in the direction of a more positive end result.

Drugs Testing At Work. Is this deemed a violation of civil liberties and human rights?

Although some individuals on the payroll can be hesitant at first regarding the thought of workplace drug screening, many support the fact that this is primarily carried out to improve upon the safety and security of all the people within the workplace. Provided the volume of on-site drug screening is proportionate to the dangers found in the business and does not deliberately disrupt employee life outside of work, it doesn’t represent a threat to individuals’ human rights. In America, more than ninety eight percent of the most successful 1000 corporations drug test their personnel without any difficulties.

Is there any danger when misusing drugs outside of the working environment?

Countless illicit drugs have indeed developed a less dangerous image as a result of their exposure in nationwide newspapers and television. Undoubtedly, phrases including “recreational cocaine use” may cause a significant amount of harm in glossing over the dangers to impressionable young people. For a lot of people, cocaine is unexpectedly more habit-forming than heroin and, for this reason can’t be abused on a recreational basis without substantial threat of addiction. Dependence aside, the level of cocaine purity has decreased from approximately 45 percent purity in 2004 to a low of around 25 percent purity in 2010 (with cocaine purity at an all-time low of 9% reported). Shockingly, the powders that the dealers use to increase the mass of the cocaine powder have been known to range from dangerous anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, pet worming powders, through to dangerous insecticides. The underlying truth is you should certainly never rely on a drug dealer.

In fact, drugs formerly thought of as soft drugs frequently still carry dangers. In recent years in the UK, a dramatic 92% of men and women accepted for therapy for mental health problems are regular cannabis users. With this in mind, drug screening in the workplace undeniably possesses the realistic ability to take on wider antisocial and health related issues when it eventually is more common.

For more information on drug and alcohol testing and also home drug testing kits, visit www.drug-aware.com

Author biography: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Drugs Testing At Work, drugs and alcohol screening devices, laboratory services along with alcohol and drug awareness training. He has personally trained literally thousands of delegates from hundreds of organisations, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and mental health units across the UK.

Aug 25

Propelled by a wish to assure well-being, safety and health of visitors and employees, random alcohol and drugs screening has grown more and more common around the UK. Be that as it may, there still persist numerous misconceptions associated with the practice, which could lead to doubt among the workforce subject to screening.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training At Work – Where exactly are the hazards?

Lots of people estimate that the impact of misused drugs throughout the working environment is a very minor issue. Each and every one of us has seen Christmas time anti-drink-driving campaigns and as a consequence, know that drink-driving and drug-driving is illegal and dangerous, so can’t we depend on people’s common sense? Unfortunately, a staggering fifty percent of all workplace and roadside fatalities around the UK are connected with drinking, illicit drugs, or both together. Modern reports demonstrate that more than 70% of substance misusers are in full-time jobs, which means that the typical drug user is, in effect, the typical company employee. Previous Home Office statistics place the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds that have abused controlled drugs within the most recent 12 months at a staggering fifty percent of that age range. As a result, it is irresponsible to view this as someone else’s concern, as it impacts just about every company. Although the occasional use of narcotics doesn’t automatically imply a tendency to ignore risks within the company, it does dramatically increase the possibility of incidents and accidents, attendance and punctuality problems, a drop in productivity, damages to machinery and wasted materials, legal issues and a higher than average turnover of staff.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training At Work – What do you suggest? Isn’t workplace alcohol and drug testing difficult to do?

Numerous businesses only conduct workplace testing after a workplace accident, a near miss or incident, or in the event they find reasonable cause for concern or suspicion that a worker is potentially unfit or unsafe to be in the workplace. On account of the broad cross section of possible risks found at industrial sites, numerous businesses judge it to be perfectly prudent to conduct screening in such instances, as a way to avoid them happening again.

On the other hand, random workplace drug screening brings testing to the next degree, wherein a predetermined percentage of the employees is picked at random to provide a specimen. It might sound invasive, but it is very common for as few as five percent of the staff to be tested up to once per year. This is the same as just one in 20 staff being tested, as an alternative, as an individual, your likelihood of being tested would likely be just once each 20 years. Incredibly, such infrequent testing has already been documented to reduce positivity rates from a high of 46% down to as little as two percent within only a few months. This hints at the fact that the run of the mill drug user within the workplace isn’t hopelessly addicted to drugs, but is just simply making decisions about their lifestyle that can possibly be reshaped towards a more agreeable end result.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training At Work. Could this be perceived as an invasion of human rights and civil liberties?

Whilst certain staff members may be initially resistant to the prospect of testing, many comprehend that this will be undertaken in order to guarantee the health and safety of anybody in the work environment. Provided that the amount of on-site drug testing is in proportion to the perils throughout the workplace and does not deliberately disrupt staff personal time, it will not represent a danger to staff human rights. When it comes to the USA, over ninety eight percent of the biggest 1000 companies drug test their personnel without any difficulties.

Is there any harm when using street drugs outside of your job?

Several illegal drugs have recently established a softer image through their repeated exposure in countrywide television, radio and newspapers. Indeed, terminologies such as “recreational cocaine use” do a great amount of harm in misinforming impressionable young people. For a large amount of individuals, the use of cocaine is unexpectedly more habit forming than heroin and cannot be taken recreationally without having substantial threat of addiction. Dependency aside, cocaine purity has dropped from an average of 45 percent cocaine content in 2004 to approximately twenty five percent purity as of 2010 (with cocaine purity as low as nine percent currently being reported). Alarmingly, the added cutting agents that dealers use to increase the mass of the cocaine powder can be anything from dangerous anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, animal worming powders, through to cockroach insecticide. The underlying message is you should certainly never place confidence in a drug dealer.

In fact, substances generally deemed to be soft drugs nevertheless carry risks. Right now in the UK, a frightening 92% of people taken in for therapy for mental health issues are heavy cannabis users. bearing this in mind, workplace alcohol and drug testing realistically possesses the opportunity to take on wider community and health related problems as it eventually is more widely accepted.

For more information on drug testing in the workplace together with home drug test kits, visit www.drug-aware.com

Author biography: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a supplier of Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training At Work, drug and alcohol test equipment, laboratory services and also alcohol and drug awareness training. He has taught literally thousands of delegates spanning hundreds of businesses, HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals across the United Kingdom.

Aug 25

Encouraged by a necessity to guarantee well-being, safety and health of employees and contractors, employee drugs testing has gradually become more and more familiar within the UK. Nonetheless, there still persist a significant number of misconceptions relating to the process, that can most likely trigger an uneasiness amongst the workforce being tested.

Substance Abuse Awareness Training For Employers – Precisely where are the hazards?

Many people assume that the impact of street drugs within the modern working environment is a trivial matter. Everyone has seen Christmas time anti-drink-driving television advertisements and as a consequence, keep in mind that drug driving and drink-driving is illegal and dangerous, so can’t we depend on the public’s common sense? The sad thing is, as many as fifty percent of all workplace and road fatalities around the UK are connected with drink, illicit drugs, or both. Present-day reports reveal that over two thirds of illicit drug users are in full-time work, suggesting that the average drug misuse is, essentially, the average business employee. Up-to-date Home Office studies estimate the amount of 16 to 29-year-olds who have indulged in drugs throughout the last year at just over fifty percent of that age range. On that basis, this should not be seen as somebody else’s issue, as it impacts every single business. While the indulgence in illegal drugs may not by default mean a tendency to ignore hazards within the working environment, this does noticeably magnify the probability of accidents, attendance and punctuality problems, a decrease in productivity, damages to equipment and stock, litigation and a more significant turnover of workforce.

Substance Abuse Awareness Training For Employers – What is your recommendation? Isn’t workplace drug testing difficult to do?

A lot of businesses only perform workplace drug screening in the event of an industrial accident, an incident, or if they have reasonable cause for concern or suspect that a colleague is possibly unfit for duty. As a result of the broad variety of possible dangers associated with heavy industrial companies, numerous workplaces believe it to be entirely logical to conduct diagnostic tests in such situations, as a way to prevent them from happening in future.

On the other hand, random employee drug testing brings testing to the next degree, whereby a predetermined sample of the employees is selected at random to produce a breath and urine sample. You may see this as invasive, though it is actually quite normal for only five percent of the personnel to be tested up to once in every year. This would mean that just one in 20 staff being screened, or, as an individual, your likelihood of being actually screened would likely be just a single time every 20 years. Miraculously, this form of marginal screening has been proven to lower rates of positivity from as high as 46% down to as little as just 2% inside of just a few months. This might indicate that the commonplace substance misuser found within the workplace isn’t addicted, but is just simply making choices about their lifestyle that could be changed towards a more agreeable end result.

Substance Abuse Awareness Training For Employers. Can this be deemed an infringement of a person’s human rights?

Whilst some individuals on the payroll can be hesitant at first regarding the thought of workplace testing, the majority of them recognise that this will be conducted in order to safeguard the safety of everyone in the workplace. Provided the level of diagnostic testing is in proportion to the possible dangers found in the business and does not deliberately interfere with staff leisure activities, it will not pose a threat to individuals’ human rights. When it comes to the USA, over ninety eight percent of the top 1000 corporations drug and alcohol screen their work force without any controversy.

Where is the danger while abusing substances away from your job?

Countless illegal substances have indeed acquired a less dangerous image as a consequence of their glamorised portrayal throughout the nation’s media. Of course, expressions such as “recreational cocaine use” can cause a great amount of harm due to it downplaying the dangers to individuals. For a large amount of teenagers, powdered cocaine is unexpectedly more addictive than heroin and, for this reason can’t be taken on a recreational basis without substantial risk of dependency. Addiction aside, the level of cocaine purity has reduced from a typical forty five percent cocaine concentration in 2004 down to about twenty five percent purity as of 2010 (with the purity of cocaine at an all-time low of 9% currently being reported). Shockingly, the powders that the dealers use to pad out the cocaine can be anything from local anaesthetics, cancer-causing pharmaceuticals, cat worming chemicals, through to insecticides. The bottom line is that you can never ever count on a drug dealer.

Indeed, substances typically regarded as soft drugs can still carry dangers. Currently in Britain, a dramatic 92% of everyday people accepted for therapy for mental illness are regular cannabis users. bearing this in mind, workplace drugs screening truly has the realistic potential to take on wider antisocial and mental health issues as it eventually becomes more common.

To read more on employee drug screening as well as home drug testing kits, visit www.drug-aware.com

Information on the author: Christopher Evans is the Technical Director of Drug-Aware Ltd, a provider of Substance Abuse Awareness Training For Employers, alcohol and drug testing kits, laboratory services and alcohol awareness training. He has educated literally thousands of delegates across hundreds of organisations, the HM Prison Service, the British police and hospitals and mental health units throughout the country.


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