A. Evidence from HDA

Below are references, summaries and links to research identified through a literature search using the keywords ‘drug + test + workplace’. A generic search engine (Google), specific relevant websites (e.g. Drugscope, Tackling Drugs, Health and Safety Executive, NIDA) and a University library catalogue (Liverpool John Moores University) were searched. The information provided is directive and is not intended to be a comprehensive critique of literature. Useful website links are also included to aid further searches. As forensic technology and public discussion of this topic rapidly evolves, only research published in the last 5 years has been included.

UK

Drug testing in the workplace: The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work (IIDTW)

In June 2004, the report from the Independent Inquiry into Drug Testing at Work (IIDTW) was published. The work was designed to address the lack of reliable evidence about drug testing at work, with particular reference to the UK. The Inquiry was facilitated by Drugscope and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Network of European Foundations.

The 18 month study considered written and oral evidence from a range of stakeholders including employers and employees, providers of drug testing services, lawyers and occupational health physicians.

The report considers issues around performance, the scientific validity of drug tests, the legal position, ethics and social responsibility. Evidence was also presented on trends in drug use and drug testing and costs and benefits of using drug testing in the workplace.

The key findings from the report include:

There is no conclusive evidence on links between drug use and poor performance, absenteeism, and accidents at work. Even in safety critical industries (e.g. transport, construction), a strong link between drug use and accidents could not be supported.
No clear evidence was presented that drug testing had a significant deterrent effect.
The legal position on drug testing at work was found to be confusing.
Concerns that drug testing is not a measure of current intoxication and may reveal drug use that has no impact upon performance or safety.

The full report can be downloaded at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/185935212X.pdf

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) published a briefing note on drug tests in September 2004. The report considers the use and impact of drug testing in the workplace, criminal justice system and schools. Key points raised include the support for accreditation of drug testing services, the need for careful interpretation of results and the acceptability of drug testing in safety critical and non-safety critical workplaces.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/POSTpn228.pdf

The Health and Safety Executive has produced a guide for employers that provides guidance on establishing a drugs policy and the role of testing. The Executive have also published reports on the scale and impact of illegal drug use by workers and drug related accidents at work.

Drug Misuse at Work: a guide for employers

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg91.pdf

Scale and Impact of Illegal Drug Use by Workers

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr193sum.pdf

Drug Related Accidents at Work

http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/hsc/meetings/2004/060404/misc07.pdf

Managing the Effects of Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace (2003) for the Chartered Management Institute, also deals with the issue of drug testing. Sixteen percent of respondents used random testing as part of their drugs policy. This was most likely to occur in safety critical workplaces such as the transport sector, uniformed services or the construction industry.

http://www.managers.org.uk/listing_1.aspx?doc=10:1276&id=10:106&id=10:9

International

Despite a long history of workplace drug testing in the USA, much of the research found was more than 5 years old.

Workplace drug testing (WDT) in Europe (Verstraete and Pierce) published in 2001 presents an overview of WDT in 14 European countries. It concludes that WDT in Europe is less common than in the USA and that work needs to be done to ensure confidence in laboratory results, establish the legal status, preserve the privacy of employees and to ascertain the cost effectiveness of workplace drug testing in Europe.

Forensic Science International, Volume 121 p.2-6

Drug testing: a bad investment (1999) published by the American Civil Liberties Union presents findings from the National Academy of Sciences and other sources. The report describes the origins of workplace drug testing in the USA, challenges the links made between drug use and safety/productivity, discusses the inaccuracies of testing and the financial and social implications. Alternatives to drug testing are also presented.

http://www.aclu.org/files/gen/13477res19990915.html

C. Relevant Websites

Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK Drug Testing in the Workplace
Report from the Independent Inquiry on Drug Testing at Work (IIDTW) which sets out and considers the arguments on drug and alcohol testing at work. It concludes with a set of detailed recommendations. July 2004

National Audit Office, UK The Drug Treatment and Testing Order: early lessons
The Drug Treatment and Testing Order is a community sentence for offenders who misuse drugs. The Order requires offenders to submit to regular drug testing, to attend an intensive treatment and rehabilitation programmes. This report is an early assessment and evaluation of the Order. March 2004

UK Government

Evaluation of drug testing in the criminal justice system
July 2004

Australia

Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA)

Review of the safety benefits of introducing drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive personnel in the aviation industry
Submission to The Department of Transport and Regional Services and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. (June 2004)

Arrive Alive

Random Roadside Saliva Testing for Illicit Drugs
Frequently Asked Questions

Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA)

Drug testing procedure
Information about processes and procedures of sports drug testing.

Somazone

Factsheet: Drug Testing
An easy to read factsheet on drug testing.Drug Policy Alliance

Drug Testing
The current status of drug testing in the US. Other links with drug testing information can also be accessed from here.

Drug Testing Fails Our Youth
This web site provides resources for parents, caregivers, educators, coaches and other concerned adults to oppose their school's proposed drug testing programs.

drugtestingnews.com
This website provides a comprehensive source of up-to-date news and information on the drug and alcohol testing industry including legislation, legal issues, business, and technology from the US.

International Journal of Drug Testing
A multidisciplinary, refereed Journal devoted to the publication of scientific research, technical applications, policy, and other issues. The Journal also provides a forum for the discussion of issues that are associated with drug testing.

The National Workrights Institute

Drug Testing in the Workplace
Information about drug testing - including links to the articles 'Drug Testing: A Bad Investment' and 'Impairment Testing: Does It Work?'

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in School
This guide is designed to assist educators, parents, and community leaders in determining whether student drug testing is appropriate for their schools.

Psychmedics
A website that contains information on drug testing

US Government

Evaluation of Rapid Point-of-Collection Oral Fluid Drug-Testing Devices
PowerPoint presentation by J. Michael Walsh, Ron Flegel, Dennis Crouch, Leo Cangianelli,
and Jakub Baudys.June 2004

Publications