Alcohol and drug screening near me, what is it, and why do I need it? Alcohol and drug screening are basic procedures when testing a person’s impairment status. It is common in roadside inspections to test the driver’s condition. A roadside screening can be given if police officers believe you are driving under the influence (DUI). A police officer will ask you to blow into a breathalyser or give an oral fluid sample to determine if you violate the drink driving laws. In particular, Australia has strict laws against drink and driving. If you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.05% or any traces of drugs in your system, you will face harsh penalties, including court trials.
The workplace is another setting where alcohol and drug screenings are crucial. Every year, alcohol-related causes make up most workplace accidents and injuries. In addition, it costs the Australian economy billions of dollars in healthcare and compensation every year. Therefore, a practical strategy that businesses take is implementing workplace alcohol and drug testing. By establishing a prevention program, the employer can minimise drug and alcohol impairment risks. In particular, finding a reliable testing partner is the first step towards a safer working environment. For instance, searching only for “alcohol and drug screening near me” can help you find the closest available testing facilities.
Alcohol and Drug Screening Near Me: Facilities
Why should I go to an alcohol and drug screening near me? The most practicable means of securing the worksite is through regular on-site testing. For instance, many employees consume alcohol regularly during off-hours. Likewise, some people are also taking drugs that affect their health and working capacity. Consequently, misuse of alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescribed medicines can compromise workplace safety. They can impair the senses and motor functions necessary for the safe handling of equipment. In line with this, employers would ask an accredited laboratory to facilitate workplace testing. A laboratory examination follows a chain of custody to ensure reliable test results. In addition, an alcohol and drug screening analyses different specimen samples to determine substance use. The samples can come from the following:
Alcohol and Drug Screening Near Me: Test Kits
Alcohol and drug screening near me, what methods to choose? Illicit substances and alcohol test will depend on your workplace’s specific needs. For instance, high-risk industries rely on a frequent drug tests to minimise occupational hazards. Other sectors may use an FDA-approved self-test kit to determine alcohol and drug use. The test kits are available in pharmacies or online and are easy to use. In particular, home test kits provide qualitative data on substance use. They can detect exposure to alcohol or drugs but cannot determine the exact amount. It is suitable for initial screening to find out if alcohol or illicit substances are present in the system. In case of a positive test result, the employer will send the kit to a laboratory for confirmation. The kinds of rapid test kits available are:
- Urine dip cards
- Urine drug test cups
- Saliva drug test
- Hair follicle drug test
- Alcohol breath test
Workplace Policies
What do alcohol and drug screening near me test for? A workplace policy outlines the test procedures, when to conduct a test, and prohibited substances. In general, a breath test detects the presence of alcohol (ethanol) through a breathalyser. A breathalyser like BACtrack is a portable device consisting of sensors to measure the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). On the other hand, drug screenings look for common drugs, such as amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methadone, and opiates. In particular, a urine test is the standard procedure for identifying drug use. A traditional test can detect drugs for 12 hours and 3 to 5 days for advanced tests like EtG or EtS.
Can an alcohol and drug screening near me check us anytime? A workplace can conduct an alcohol and drug screening for various reasons. However, the primary purpose is to manage safety risks and reduce accidents. Therefore, the employer facilitates workplace tests to maintain a hazard-free area. The testing agency provides on-site services, so employees do not have to leave the worksite. They adhere to the Australian Standards for effective and reliable test results. Additionally, giving a specimen sample only takes a few minutes. The employer may conduct an alcohol and drug screening during the following:
- Hiring new employees in a safety-sensitive position
- After an accident
- Suspicion of substance impairment
- Returning to work
- Annual medical test
Benefits of Alcohol and Drug Screening Near Me
Looking for “alcohol and drug screening near me” enables you to find the services that fit you best. Most testing facilities cover the detection of common drugs and alcohol. However, you can specify specific substances that you want to test for. In addition, companies that have a comprehensive policy report a significant reduction in incidents or casualties. Consistent screening helps deter drug and alcohol use. In addition, it lessens downtime, absenteeism, and turnover rates. It also improves productivity and boosts employee morale. Monitoring the employees’ health status is one way to ensure a robust workforce. Furthermore, employers can extend help through an assistance program for affected employees. Employees with substance use disorder can undergo treatment or rehabilitation until they are ready to go back to work.
For alcohol tests, you can monitor the BAC levels conveniently through a workplace breathalyser. You do not need to check “alcohol and drug screening near me” every time to monitor workplace sobriety. Instead, a professional alcohol tester like BACtrack uses fuel cell sensor technology to estimate the BAC level accurately. An alcohol breath test is also a non-invasive test. You only need to provide an exhaled breath, and the device can analyse alcohol concentration within 10 to 15 seconds. In addition, the BACtrack breathalysers have a one-button system for quick and easy operations. Simply power on the device, wait for the signal, and give a long blow to the mouthpiece.
Alcohol breath tests: Are they Accurate?
Alcohol and drug screening near me use, how accurate are their breathalysers? Laboratories and healthcare units use a fuel cell breathalyser for alcohol breath testing. The fuel cell sensors undergo an electrochemical process when it contacts alcohol in the breath. The oxidisation produces small electrical currents based on the volume of alcohol present and converts it into BAC. Fuel cell sensors are sensitive to ethanol and do not react with other substances. Therefore, they do not interfere with the BAC results for people with diabetes who have high acetone levels. In addition, fuel cell sensors maintain accuracy and consistency despite repeat testings longer. Thus, they are less likely produce false-positive results. Therefore, you can ascertain that the BACtrack professional breathalysers provide accurate and reliable BAC readings. You can view the comprehensive selection of BACtrack devices for professional or personal use at Breathalysers Australia.
