How long does it take to have a drug test?
It usually takes between 10-15 minutes, depending on a number of factors such as the time taken to answer any questions, complete the paperwork, for the person to pass urine, and whether the sample needs to be sent to the laboratory for further testing. The drug screening test itself takes up to 5 minutes.
How much does a drug test cost?
The drug test conducted at the Awanui Labs collection site is $99.00 (incl. GST) and can be paid by EFTPOS or invoiced to a business account (purchase order or payment pro forma required). Any additional testing performed on samples referred for laboratory testing is not included in this price and this will be invoiced separately.
When will I know the results of my drug test?
All test results are sent to the Awanui Labs laboratory for review and checking by trained laboratory staff to ensure the accuracy and quality of the results. A report will be emailed to the address provided at the time of collection within 24 hours. Please note that should the specimen be referred for further laboratory testing the results of this testing will be reported following completion of the additional testing.
Who has access to my results?
The results of the test will be reported as a secure PDF document, by email, to the person(s) designated at the time of collection. Awanui Labs also retain a copy of all results in accordance with National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council requirements.
What do I need to bring along with me when I have a drug test?
You will need to bring photo identification such as a valid Driver Licence, Passport or Site Safe ID.
Should I have a lot to drink before my drug test?
It is recommended to have had a drink of water or other beverage in the 2 hours leading up to your drug test. Drinking too much may over-dilute your sample, causing the integrity checks to fail and may mean that another sample is required. You should also avoid going to the toilet an hour prior to your drug test to ensure you are able to provide an adequate sample for testing.
How often can I be drug tested?
How often you can be required to undergo a drug test usually depends upon your employment contract and the policies at your workplace. It often depends on the role you have in the workplace and the risks associated with that role.
How much notice does my workplace have to give me that I will be having a drug test?
Your workplace is not required to give you any notice unless your specific employment contract and workplace policies state otherwise.
In what situations in my workplace can I be required to have a drug and/or alcohol test?
The circumstances around your drug test may vary according to your company policies and procedures. It is becoming increasingly common for potential new employees to be required to undergo (and pass) a pre-employment drug screening test. Once employed by a company, drug and/or alcohol testing may be required in the following situations:
1. Random testing
2. Post-incident testing
3. Reasonable cause testing
4. Rehabilitation
5. Pre-employment/pre-contract
6. Internal transfer
What drugs are you testing for?
The onsite drug screen tests for 6 different drugs and/or their metabolites. These include; cannabis (THC-COOH), amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine metabolite, opiates and benzodiazepines.
Do you test for alcohol?
We do not perform breath alcohol testing.
How accurate are the results of my drug test?
The accuracy of the device used to conduct the onsite screen has been assessed by comparing the results obtained by laboratory testing with the onsite test result; laboratory and onsite test results agreed >98% of the time. Should the onsite test indicate the sample require additional testing, the sample is referred to an accredited laboratory for confirmatory testing. The laboratory results are the final confirmed results.
What are integrity tests?
The specimen integrity tests performed with every drug screen include the testing of the sample for temperature, dilution and adulteration. These tests ensure the sample is suitable for drug testing and the veracity of the drug test results
What happens if I ‘fail’ a drug test?
The results of the onsite drug test are used to determine if the sample requires further laboratory testing. If the test results indicate the sample requires further testing, the technician (drug tester) is required to send your sample to an accredited laboratory for further testing.
Should the laboratory testing confirm that your sample is positive for the drugs, this result will be reported to the person(s) designated on the test request form. In terms of what impact this test result has with respect to your employment, that will be dependent upon your employment contract and/or workplace policies.
How long does it take to get my results back from the lab?
Laboratory results are generally available 24-72 hrs following the receipt of the sample at the laboratory. ESR is the processing laboratory for the test and can be contacted on 0800 377 938.
What are the laws around workplace drug testing in New Zealand?
There are no specific employment laws that govern workplace drug testing, however, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, the Privacy Act 1993, and the Human Rights Act 1993 include requirements that should be considered by employers, donors and testing agencies with respect to drug testing.
Can you tell if someone tries to cheat their drug test?
Yes, there are a number of ways of determining whether or not someone has tried to cheat their drug test.
Do you keep a database of people who fail their drug tests?
No, we do not keep a specific database of people who fail their drug tests.