Designer Drug Use Beats the System

Workplace incidents involving drug use continue to be a factor in lost time rates. One of the reasons is our failure so far to find ways to consistently identify the new family drugs being used.

According to the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) designer drugs are not captured in most workplace screening programs.

CARRS-Q is a partnership between the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) and Queensland University of Technology.

Professor Barry Watson, CARRS-Q director, said new designer drugs are arriving at an unprecedented rate, presenting a constant challenge for drug monitoring programs.

“Being a step ahead in the detection of impairing drugs is crucial for workplace health and safety programs.”

Professor Watson said impaired driving is one of the major causes of death and injury on workplaces.

“Despite illegal blood alcohol concentration limits being in place for over 40 years, and the dangers of drug driving becoming increasingly recognised, impaired driving remains one of the major causes of death and injury on our roads and in our workplaces.”