11: Workplace Drug Testing

Workplace drug testing is a specialism within the wider field of analytical toxicology. Many industry sectors in the UK and elsewhere in the world impose drug testing programmes on their employees and sub-contractors. When conducted properly, drug testing can provide a useful adjunct to a comprehensive drugs and alcohol policy. The correct application of drug testing includes measures for ensuring the integrity of the sample being tested (including chain-of-custody and the prevention of tampering with the sample), robust analytical procedures (including the confirmation of non-negative immunoassay-based results using a technique based on mass spectrometry) and a thorough review of test results to determine whether there is a legitimate explanation for the analytical findings. The entire process must be conducted in a manner cognizant of the sensitivity of the data obtained from drug testing and must respect the dignity of the individuals being tested.