Drug Testing

Evidential Drug Testing

LabPLUS is an accredited hospital laboratory that provides evidential drug testing. Evidential drug testing requests are those required for certification, legal or evidential reasons. These include pre-employment, random, post-incident, follow-up, visa applications, family court requests, probationary service requests and drug rehabilitation programmes. All these requests may have evidential or legal implications and therefore need to be collected and tested in accordance with the: Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4308:2008) 'Procedures for specimen collection and the detection and quantitation of drugs of abuse in urine'.  LabPLUS is fully accredited to AS/NZS 4308:2008 for collection, screening and confirmation of drug of abuse in urine.

Drug Testing

Drug testing detects residues of certain drugs and their metabolites in the body.  It is used in industries and specific occupations primarily as a health and safety measure where the use of alcohol or drugs may impair the ability to perform duties safely.  Drug testing may be required as a pre requisite for employment, both in New Zealand and overseas.

To see the differences in what we term evidential testing versus non-evidential testing have a look at this poster:

Evidential and non-evidential drugs of abuse testing (PDF 1.6 MB)

Drugs Tested

For workplace testing LabPLUS provide one or more of a panel of the most commonly available drugs of abuse. AS/NZS4308 covers the screening and confirmation of the following drugs of abuse:

• Amphetamine type substances
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabis metabolites
• Cocaine metabolites
• Opiates

Other drug classes can also be added if required, for example phencyclidine, pethidine, methadone, tramadol and barbiturates. See LabPLUS test guide for more tests. LabPLUS has established an on going programme to develop new tests to cover existing and emerging patterns of drug abuse in New Zealand.

Our current price list (PDF 37 kb)

 Key contact

• Business Development Manager Daniel Wong

Quick links

• Collection - chain of custody, sample security, and integrity
• Test Methods - screening and confirmatory testing
• Other Information - test turn around times, confidentiality and privacy, and consultation with specialist staff
• Other Programmes - LabPLUS school programme and CADS "When you're ready"

Collection

For evidential drug testing a urine sample is required that has been collected in a process in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ4308. We already have established arrangements with collection agents in many centres throughout the country who comply with the collection requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZ4308). LabPLUS have our own collection site at the Auckland City Hospital. An appointment must be made. Please phone 307 4949 extension 25245. Open this link to see map of Level 6 Auckland City Hospital collection site. Auckland City Hospital collection site (JPEG image 126 KB).

LabPLUS has a number of commercial partners who can provide collection services for your drug testing requirements. These centres are trained in the appropriate urine drug collection procedures. Once the urine is collected, they will be securely transported to our laboratory for testing. Please contact us to find out if there's one located close to you.

Chain of Custody, Sample Security, and Integrity

Chain of custody documentation is used for samples collected for drug testing to AS/NZ4308 standards. The 'Drug Testing Custody & Control Form' documentation provides a chain of custody from sample collection to testing in the laboratory through to subsequent storage. This documentation meets legal requirements should the result be challenged.

Security is maintained from the time the specimen is collected, through transportation, testing and subsequent storage as per the procedures detailed in the AS/NZ4308.

Specimen are tested for adulterant at the time of collection to ensure there are no interfering substances. Specimen packaging and documentation is designed to ensure the integrity of all samples during transport to LabPLUS.

Test Methods

Internationally agreed cut off levels is determined for each drug tested, for both the screening and confirmatory tests. If the level of the drug is below the cut off point it will be regarded as negative.  These cut off levels have been set in the Australian/New Zealand standards and are designed to identify recent or significant drug use.

Screening

Initial screening is performed using immunoassay techniques. These assays have a high sensitivity in detecting concentrations of drugs and their metabolites in urine. The result is determined as either a negative or a tentative positive result; requiring confirmation. No further action is taken with negative results.

Confirmatory Testing

Confirmatory testing on a tentative positive result is performed, using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), in accordance with the AS/NZS 4308:2008. This standard dictates that GCMS is mandatory if the results are to be considered 'irrefutable'. All positive samples are stored for 3 months in a secure location.

Other Information

Test Turn Around Times

Results of screening tests for drugs of abuse will generally be available within 24 hours of being received, Monday to Friday. Results may be available by secure fax, accessed by telephone enquiry using a PIN number or by post. Confirmatory test results are available within the week after request.

NOTE: When results are delivered by postal service allow an extra 1 to 2 days.

Confidentiality and Privacy

LabPLUS respects the privacy of both the individual and organisations. We have systems in place to ensure the security of information pertaining to clients and any test result records. In accordance with the Privacy Act, we will not release any information about a client or their organisation to third parties without prior written permission. A copy of the Company confidentiality policy is available on request.

Consultation with Specialist Staff

Specialist staff are readily available from 0800 to 1700 hours Monday to Friday by phone, fax or email. Urgent consultations may be made with on call staff outside these hours.

Pathologists ‑ Are medically qualified and they oversee testing to ensure it meets quality criteria and provide advice on the significance of test results.

Toxicologists ‑ Develop methods to measure drugs and perform analyses. For these analyses we can provide evidence of the method's accuracy. We can also provide advice on the significance of drug screen results in relation to the timing of drugs or medications last used.

LabPLUS staff are able to offer advice on:

• Methods of testing drugs and alcohol and appropriate specimens
• Interpretation of results
• Pre and post testing clinical advice 

LabPLUS staff have experience in:

• Appearing as expert witnesses
• Attending internal company disciplinary hearings

LabPLUS can recommend providers for:

• Assistance with the development of company policies for drug testing
• Education and training programmes for managers and supervisors
• Employee assistance programmes

Other Programmes

LabPLUS School Programme

Secondary Schools are experiencing a greater awareness of drug and alcohol abuse by their students both in and out of school. Part of the school’s policy on managing this trend may be the requirement to have the student’s urine tested for drugs especially cannabis and occasionally methamphetamine (P). This could be for counselling and compliance reasons, especially where an agreement has been developed between the student, their parents or guardians and the school. This non-punitive approach is proving to be successful within schools where a supportive counselling programme has been adopted with students who have been identified as either having an established drug habit or are experimenting with drugs. A robust, but non-evidential (cannot be used for legal purposes) process for this type of testing has been developed by LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital.  Screening test will include processes designed to eliminate cheating and a kit that will facilitate the simple collection of a sample within the school.

Please Contact Business Development, LabPLUS Phone (09) 307 8995, Toll Free 0800 522 7587 0800 LabPLUS

CADS - "When You're Ready"

Community Alcohol & Drug Services (CADS) Auckland offers free services funded through the Waitemata District Health Board, to anyone in the Auckland region wanting to talk about an alcohol or drug-related question, issue or problem.

Our discreet counselling service aims to reduce the harm your drinking or drug taking may be causing.

If you are looking for information or help for an alcohol or drug issue, for yourself or anyone else, then why not take that first step and give us a call on (09) 845 1818, have a look at our website www.cads.org.nz or just drop into one of our clinics.

CADS Clinic Hours are 10am - 1pm Monday to Friday (no appointment is necessary) and the CADS Appointment Hours are 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.