Staff cheat workplace drug tests

Western Bay workers trying to escape mandatory drug tests are turning to legal highs to beat the system.
Synthetic "cannabinoid" substances such as Kronic, Spice, Aroma and Dream are legally available at 20 outlets in the Western Bay.
Former drug users are turning to the cannabis alternatives to ensure they pass mandatory workplace drug tests, says New Zealand Drug Detection Agency (NZDDA) Bay of Plenty general manager Leigh Sefton.
"We have definitely had some people talking about the fact they have stopped smoking cannabis and are using these synthetic Kronic or Spice.
"The people that I have spoken to that have used it, the types that are coming and being tested, are saying they have been quite out of it, quite stoned, quite off your face."
Although the drug alternatives were not new, they seemed to have "taken off" in popularity, Mr Sefton said.
And demand from employers concerned about workers getting legally stoned has prompted the company to offer a new laboratory-based test for synthetic cannabis, following approaches from employers.
NZDDA spokesman Nick Mcleay said the test had yet to be used in New Zealand. If a worker passed a standard screening test but still appeared to be affected by a substance, an employer could request the test.
"If the employer believes it's a synthetic cannabis sort of situation, we can have that sample analysed to identify the main ingredients in Kronic, which are a couple of chemical compounds in the synthetic legal highs.
"It's just as dangerous as taking cannabis or methamphetamine or any other drug. The fact that it's legal is neither here nor there - it puts the user at risk and puts those around the user at risk."
Workplace drug testing is widespread in industries which involve heavy machinery and transport.
NZDDA is increasingly getting inquiries from Western Bay employers concerned about workers using legal highs.
"They are hearing that people are on it. They have an obligation under the health and safety [legislation] to manage their workplace safely," Mr Sefton said.
Although products such as Kronic are not illegal, employers can protect themselves against workers who use them. "Most drug and alcohol policies also cover off the risk of impairment. It will mean that if they have got a good policy in place, that even legal highs such as Kronic and herbal pills, if they risk impairing the person, they can be dealt with under their policy," Mr Sefton said.
"This is where some people are going to come unstuck if they take these legal highs like Kronic and turn up to work.
"It's not illegal but it is a synthetic or man-made version of cannabis which is putting people at risk."
Mr Sefton advised businesses to conduct pre-employment drug checks, as users did not always exhibit classic signs of drug use.