The Drug Woman

Arriving at a site for testing I hear – “I think that might be the drug woman”. One of the pet names candidates have for me. Thankfully I am a tester – not a dealer.  Not just a tester,  I also educate in the field of drug and alcohol in the workplace and more often than not, what I hear, and share brings home the importance of a robust workplace drug and alcohol programme – something that the team at AMS can help you achieve.

One of my more unusual experiences was one hour into a 12 hour shift and the candidate was determined not to take the test thus promptly tossing the urine down my trousers. Like all the AMS team, I had the training and professionalism to carry on. That said it was not a good look at 8.50AM. The morale of that story – carry spare clothing and remember eu do toilette is meant to smell alluring!

We have all heard ‘the dog ate my homework’ Well in the case of drug testing its usually ‘everyone else was smoking it’, ‘the result must be wrong’, ‘I use CBD oil’ AMS provide you with a legally defensible result and that’s why we should be your first choice for testing.

Oh, and then there is the sample itself.   We have had water, coca cola, apple juice and even blue loo when someone was not paying attention!. AMS check the integrity of the sample and ensure that it is fit for purpose.

Education is the key and that’s where AMS help. From integrity of sample to professionalism of testing, we can explain everything about a drug test including why a candidate cannot simply have another test later. We perform instant and chain of custody. The purpose of a Chain of Custody is that it is legally defensible so to allow someone to choose to supply another sample at their convenience – well in simple terms they are wasting your time and you are wasting your money!

Passive, now that often makes me laugh. Just the other day it was the chap who smeared his whole body in CBD oil and that is why his THC (Cannabis)  level was sitting at 196. A quick change of heart ensued when it was explained how this could not be – something that we teach you at our training sessions.

The bottom line, too many people misuse drugs and alcohol. The Monday morning brigade. The ones who don’t think they will get caught. I get the fear of failing or accepting that your company may have a problem but when we go out to test 6 candidates all working at heights and 5 fail on Cannabis – I hate to point out the obvious, but YOU do have a problem.  AMS can help you find a solution.

I have dealt with the tenable, the feasible and the downright unacceptable. The RIDDOR reportable, the maimed for life and the loss of life. I have lost count the number of times companies have said. 1. We did not realise we had a problem. 2 It is never going to happen to us or even worse than that 3. Choose the guys you know will pass we have an audit to get through. Having dealt with the family who lost the only breadwinner and left behind two baby girls – the last thing they wanted to hear was the need to pass an audit or we do not test. Drug misuse is not going away and we need to face it head on.

There are many ways the team at AMS can help you.

  • Robust Drug and Alcohol Policy
  •  Drug and Alcohol Training and Awareness Programmes
  • Pre Employment/Pre Sponsorship Testing
  • Random Testing
  • For Cause UK Wide including For Cause Agreements
  • Prescription and Medicine Queries
  • Counselling and rehabilitation services.

Substance Misuse is prevalent, widespread and growing. Make 2020 the year you keep your company and employees, educated, knowledgeable and above all safe!

For more information email me at roseanne@ayrshiremedical.co.uk