Posted by Drug Test Australia
There has
been recent media and government attention paid to the rise in the prevalence
of use, sales and manufacture of Synthetic Drugs, such as Synthetic Marijuana
(‘Kronic’ and like products) and Synthetic Stimulants (i.e. Synthetic Cocaine,
Synthetic Amphetamines and Synthetic MDMA [Ecstasy]) among other harmful
substances.
Of
particular concern to employers in Australia, is that these types of drugs
cannot be screened for in traditional drug tests; only by drug tests that
specifically test for these substances.
European
Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, has released a report raising
concerns over the great quantity of these substances available; with a total of
49 new psychoactive substances officially notified for the first time in 2011.
Preliminary data shows over 50 new substances already detected for 2012. This
is of concern to the Australian market, as these items can easily be purchased
online and sent to Australia, from retailers residing overseas.
Queensland
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has proposed changes
to the Drugs Misuse Act, that would include a plethora of synthetic drugs, with
similar effects to presently illegal drugs to be made illegal.
The main
issue faced is that drug ‘manufacturers’ aim to stay one step ahead of
legislation and are constantly changing and developing the contents and make-up
of these substances.
We must be
vigilant and stay on top of this phenomenon, as impairment from these
substances poses a significant safety risk in workplaces; effective testing is
the only way to limit risk.
For more
information, please see our blog articles below, or contact us about our synthetic marijuana testing kits.
Contact us at Drug Test Australia
Website; www.drugtestaustralia.com.au
Email; Sales@drugtestaustralia.com.au
Phone; 1300 660 636
