Pubdate: Mon, 13 Oct 2003
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300

DRUG TEST CHEATS OUTLINED

Elaborate cheating devices such as fake penises and urine-filled condoms 
should not put employers off workplace drug testing, says an overseas 
consultant.

American forensic toxicologist Dr Leo Kadehjian outlined to the Employment 
Court avoidance methods such as supplying false penises - in four colours 
to match skin types - for holding substitute urine, bought freeze-dried 
with guarantees to test negative.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), which Air New 
Zealand wants to use for random and other forms of testing of its 10,000 
staff, provides heat strips in collection vessels to ensure urine is 
provided at body temperature.

But Dr Kadehjian, whose consulting clients include the United States 
federal courts and drug-testing technology supplier Dade Behring, 
acknowledged that it could be "incredibly difficult" to identify internally 
secreted urine without DNA testing.

But he said random screening would limit preparedness of cheats.

Asked by unions lawyer John Haigh, QC, about alleged detoxification powders 
sold on websites such as www.passyourdrugtest.com, Dr Kadehjian said their 
only effectiveness lay in getting people to drink huge amounts of water in 
short periods.

Although this could bring cannabis smokers below the threshold, ESR tests 
could detect abnormal dilution.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens