Why drug testing?
Some companies require workers to take regular or random urine tests throughout their employment. This is to make sure that employees don’t take illegal drugs after they’re hired to maintain a safe working environment.
Employers may also ask for a urine test if an employee behaves in a way suggesting they’re using illegal substances.
If an accident happens at the workplace, an employer may order a drug test for those who were involved. This helps determine whether the accident may have happened because of how drugs affected someone’s behavior.
Workplace drug testing is used prior to an employment offer. It may also be used periodically with random drug tests throughout the course of someone’s employment.
What is drug testing?
Urine drug tests screen for certain medications and drugs.
After a person takes drugs, Their body gets rid of the chemicals in those drugs. One way the body flushes out these chemicals is through urine. Traces of drugs appear in their urine anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after they've taken them.
emergency services staff may use urine drug screenings when they suspect someone’s strange or dangerous behavior might be linked to being under the influence of drugs or to enable clinical staff to make informed treatment and care decisions.
Urine drug tests detect a variety of substances, including:
Cocaine
Marijuana
Opiates, including heroin, codeine, and morphine
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Amphetamines, including meth
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Diuretics
Erythropoietin
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Methadone
Methaqualone
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Propoxyphene
Steroids and HGH
Urine testing/Toxicology is considered 'relevant material' under the Human Tissues Act 2004.
Consent must be sort and confirmed before any analysis can be undertaken.
Due to the nature in which point of contact testing is conducted. The person collecting the sample must take steps to ensure integrity and compliance throughout. This is called the chain of custody.
The clinician needs to ensure that the person being tested cannot tamper with or alter the test in any way.
ideally, the sample should be given in a room that has no access to an actively working toilet or running water. (If this is possible then the clinician should observe the person being tested to ensure they cannot falsify testing)
The Chain of Custody drug screening process accounts for the collection processing and storage of samples collected for testing purposes. The steps in this process require all persons in the testing process to “show their work” and document the steps. The Chain of Custody drug screening process greatly reduces any potential for tampering. More importantly, the steps also ensure that the sample has been collected from a specific donor.
Only certain employers will request Chain of Custody drug testing depending on their policies and procedures.
the first step is for the candidate to provide the sample. It is critical that the certified specimen collector adheres to certain rules when collecting the specimen, such as:
Provide a secure, private room only accessed by the donor and collector
Perform only one collection at a time
Ensure that only the donor and collector handle the specimen
Immediately seal the specimen in the presence of the donor
Cursory check for temperature, color, and scent of specimen
Keep the specimen in view during the entire process
clients will already have provided a proper government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) prior to testing. Additionally, they will also have to confirm their identity as part of the Chain of Custody drug screening process. This way, the clinican knows who you are and they can proceed with certainty.
Both the client and the clinician who is collecting the sample complete the Chain of Custody form declaring that the client is, indeed, who they say they are. They are also both confirming that the sample has been collected in accordance with the rules of the process.
A sample of a form is below, however, some Chain of custody forms are now electronic.
Some clients may request independent testing, this is allowed, and either the clinician will observe the client taking a second sample or the original sample will be divided into two. - The process is the same both the clinician and the client must seal and sign to show integrity.