At-home drug test offers workers more autonomy
And the broader trend is worrying. According to a recent United Nations report, Australians and New Zealanders are among the world's highest per-capita users of cocaine and ecstasy, with cannabis use also well above the global average.
While many users are occasional, the UN warns of growing trafficking networks and drug availability across the region - raising concerns about how those substances flow into everyday settings such as the workplace.
With one in nine Australian workers admitting to being under the influence of illicit drugs while on the job, the risks to safety, productivity and mental health are mounting.
In high-risk sectors such as transport, construction and hospitality, even a momentary lapse in judgment can have deadly consequences.
"The risks are real in terms of safety, productivity and wellbeing - they are all on the line," said Matthew Salihi, CEO of Touch Biotechnology, which is promoting a new range of portable, non-invasive self-testing kits.
Instead of relying solely on workplace drug screenings after an incident has already occurred, the initiative encourages employees to test themselves voluntarily - at home, in private - before heading into work.
"The whole concept is about self-regulation and personal responsibility," Mr Salihi told AAP.
"It gives people a private way to check themselves before a shift, after a weekend, or during recovery. No pressure, no judgment … just a tool to help them stay in control and do the right thing before it becomes a problem."
The tests work much the same as COVID-19 kits: simple saliva or urine samples return results within minutes, indicating whether substances including cannabis, cocaine or methamphetamines are present.
Mr Salihi said the purpose was prevention, not surveillance. It was not about judging people for what they did in their personal life - it was about making sure they turned up to work clean and safe, he said.
Drug use among workers is not just common but often tied to deeper struggles.
"For many people, it's not about partying or coping, as such. People turn to drugs to manage the stress, exhaustion and emotional pressure," Mr Salihi said.
"It's often a mental health issue, to be honest. The drug use is just a symptom."
He said self-testing offered a crucial moment for early intervention before things spiralled.
While some critics might argue self-testing reduces visibility for employers, Mr Salihi sees it differently.
"Self-testing actually empowers people … and when it's part of a broader program with clear policies, education and support, it opens the door to more honest conversation, not less," he said.
Drug-related absenteeism and safety incidents are costing Australian businesses more than $5 billion a year. In industries such as trucking, where stimulant use is not uncommon, the margin for error is slim.
A small mistake behind the wheel could spell disaster, Salihi said.
"That's what we're trying to help eliminate."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
31 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Compounds in coffee could help to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, study shows
Coffee is a crucial part of many of our daily routines. Now, new research has given us another reason to fill up our mugs. The only thing to get us out of bed on some freezing winter mornings, coffee really is one of life's great luxuries. Apart from warming and energising us, our daily roast has also been linked to improved heart and brain health, boosting mood, as well as a reduced risk of depression and liver disease. The list of benefits just keeps on growing, with a new study suggesting black coffee could lower our risk of type 2 diabetes. According to Diabetes Australia, close to 1.9 million Australians live with diabetes, almost 1.3 million of whom have type 2. The condition is caused by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, and genetics, weight, activity level, a high sugar diet and some disorders can increase people's risk of developing it. Researchers from Korea pulled together data from close to 150 publications to see if coffee had an effect on the development of type 2 diabetes. They focused on the brew's effect on our pancreas, liver, small intestines, muscle and tissue. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Image: Getty What are polyphenols? Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Regular intake has been linked to improved digestion, and brain and heart health, and the research team believed these phytonutrients could be behind coffee's potential for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. After their analysis, the scientists suggested that our daily long blacks can help to modulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, provide antioxidant properties and boost the metabolism of glucose. According to the findings, decaf drinkers could reap the same rewards. Image: iStock Decaf could provide the same perks And it's not just full-strength coffee providing benefits either. According to the findings, decaf drinkers could reap the same rewards. People who drank coffee regularly had a 20 to 30 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of caffeine content. But just the thought of five coffees a day conjures up images of an impending panic attack and scattered thoughts for many of us. The researchers concluded that 'coffee and its bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acid and its hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives… have significant potential in the prevention and management of [type 2 diabetes]'. They found that three to five black coffees daily was the ideal amount to consume to benefit from these perks. But just the thought of five coffees a day conjures up images of an impending panic attack and scattered thoughts for many of us, and consuming too much caffeine can induce headaches, nausea, insomnia, and the shakes, so don't push yourself to down short blacks all day solely to reduce your diabetes risk. The team said more research into the health effects of coffee is needed, but if your desk is never without a full mug and you're looking for a reason to maintain your five a day, this could be it. Originally published as Compounds in coffee could help to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, study shows
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Nurses in bins, beds duties strike
Queensland hospitals are bracing for disruption as nurses escalate their campaign for a pay rise, with a new phase of industrial action actions to begin on Tuesday. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union (QNMU) has confirmed Stage 2 of its protected industrial action will commence from 7am on Tuesday, July 8, intensifying its campaign for better pay and working conditions. While union officials have stressed patient safety will remain a priority, the latest action is expected to have a broader operational impact across Queensland Health facilities, with thousands of workers refusing to perform various non-clinical tasks, including making beds, delivering meals and emptying bins. Queensland hospitals are bracing for disruption as nurses escalate their industrial campaign, with a new phase of industrial action actions to begin tomorrow. NCA NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia It follows the union's rejection of the government's latest wage offer of an 11 per cent pay rise over three years, in favour of a 13 per cent increase over the same period. The government's proposal includes staged increases of 3 per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in both April 2026 and April 2027, with a final 3 per cent in December 2027. Health Minister Tim Nicholls has described it as a 'nation-leading' package that includes an 'Australian-first double-time-for-overtime care package'. However, QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said the deal would strip Queensland's nurses and midwives of their status as the highest paid in the country, a position they've held for 15 years. 'We will not be gaslit, or taken for fools,' Ms Beaman said. QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said the Queensland Government's deal would strip Queensland's nurses and midwives of their status as the highest paid in the country, a position they've held for 15 years. Richard Walker Credit: News Corp Australia Stage 2 of the protected action, legally permitted under the Fair Work Act 2009, will see union members refuse overtime without at least four hours' notice, take their full meal and rest breaks, and step back from administrative duties including filing, data entry, stock replenishment, and internal meetings unrelated to patient care. Other disruptions include a refusal to clean beds, move furniture, handle non-clinical waste, or participate in Medicare admissions documentation. In mental health services, formal national reporting tools will be paused, although clinical observations will continue to be recorded. The first stage of industrial action began on June 5 with low-level visibility activities such as staff wearing pink or promotional shirts and email signature updates. While this initially led to two weeks of renewed bargaining, the union says negotiations broke down when the government 'pulled the rug out' on perceived progress. Health Minister Tim Nicholls described the governments offer as a 'nation-leading' package that includes an 'Australian-first double-time-for-overtime care package.' NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia Although wages are the headline issue, the industrial action highlights a string of longstanding grievances within Queensland's healthcare system. Nurses cite burnout, poor nurse-to-patient ratios, staff shortages, especially in regional areas, and broken promises from Covid-era commitments. Surveys have found that over 58 per cent of Australian nurses report burnout, and 71 per cent say they are asked to do more than they can manage. Almost half of QNMU members surveyed said they were considering leaving the profession. The union is also calling for improved minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, claiming current workloads are unsafe and compromise patient outcomes. Nurses cite burnout, poor nurse-to-patient ratios, staff shortages, especially in regional areas, and broken promises from Covid-era commitments. NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia A 2024 report from the Nurses Professional Association of Queensland (NPAQ) also raised concerns about centralised bureaucracy, with one administrator for every two nurses in Queensland, compared to a 1:5 to 1:7 ratio in Germany and Scandinavia, as well as a culture of fear, bullying and punished whistleblowing. The suicides of two midwives, one a new graduate and the other senior, at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in 2015 and 2023 were cited as tragic examples of this toxic environment. Midwife Jackie Pulleine alleged she faced retribution after raising concerns about patient safety at Redcliffe Hospital. QNMU says increasing waitlists, chronic overcrowding in emergency departments, and the death of Baby Benson amid neonatal bed shortages are all symptoms of a broken system. The state government has now referred the dispute to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for conciliation. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government remains committed to delivering a 'nation-leading wages deal' as part of a record $33 billion investment in the state's health system. That includes hiring 4,500 additional health workers over the next year, he said. However, the QNMU argues this investment must also be reflected in frontline wages. 'The funding necessary to recruit and retain skilled humans to care for Queensland has not been appropriately allocated,' Ms Beaman said. 'Multibillion-dollar health facilities without skilled staff are like a car without an engine.' With protected action escalating Tuesday and no resolution in sight, the QNMU warns the dispute 'could escalate if demands are not met'.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Telehealth explained: Your guide to finding the right doctor online
This is sponsored content for Qoctor. Telehealth, while it's always been available, really gained traction during the pandemic and has remained an important part of healthcare today. Not only does it remove barriers to health care like physical distance and time constraints, it's also affordable and often more readily available. Australian telehealth platform founded by GPs, Qoctor, is aiming to support the health of regional Australians by offering GP appointments, medical certificates, prescription renewals, pathology referrals and mental health support (including bulk-billed mental health plan referrals). However, the platform is not looking to replace local GPs but rather work alongside and support them. "We want people to think of online telehealth as an option if they are stuck for seeing a doctor," Qoctor CEO and GP Aifric Boylan said. "In a lot of areas GP clinics are overbooked and we want to be able to meet people in the moment when they are seeking help. If you miss that opportunity because of wait times, sometimes people stop seeking help." This is especially the case with mental health with appointments for mental health plans proving to be one of the more popular appointments. The use of telehealth to access a mental health plan can help break down one barrier to health only for patients to face another when finding a local mental health professional. This is where telehealth can also play a role but with a mental health platform like MeHelp offering bulk-billed psychology online. "Using telehealth for a mental health plan is a frictionless process and you can be up and running with a psychology provider very quickly," Dr Boylan said. When selecting a telehealth provider there are some important factors to consider including the platform, who you will be seeing, their qualifications and the appointment process. There are rules and regulations around telehealth delivery but not all telehealth providers offer the same level of service. "Choose your service wisely," Dr Boylan said. "The gold standard is video call, but phone calls can be OK in some cases- and you should be speaking directly to the doctor or nurse, not through SMS or a third party. "Some of this seems basic, but there are some services out there where the doctor doesn't even speak directly with the patient. "It should also be made very clear what type of health professional you will be seeing, either a doctor or a nurse and you should be given enough time to talk about your issue and not be overly rushed." An appointment with Qoctor has patients speak directly with their doctor on video call with plenty of time allocated for the type of appointment booked. To learn more about Qoctor or to make an appointment, visit the website here. This is sponsored content for Qoctor. Telehealth, while it's always been available, really gained traction during the pandemic and has remained an important part of healthcare today. Not only does it remove barriers to health care like physical distance and time constraints, it's also affordable and often more readily available. Australian telehealth platform founded by GPs, Qoctor, is aiming to support the health of regional Australians by offering GP appointments, medical certificates, prescription renewals, pathology referrals and mental health support (including bulk-billed mental health plan referrals). However, the platform is not looking to replace local GPs but rather work alongside and support them. "We want people to think of online telehealth as an option if they are stuck for seeing a doctor," Qoctor CEO and GP Aifric Boylan said. "In a lot of areas GP clinics are overbooked and we want to be able to meet people in the moment when they are seeking help. If you miss that opportunity because of wait times, sometimes people stop seeking help." This is especially the case with mental health with appointments for mental health plans proving to be one of the more popular appointments. The use of telehealth to access a mental health plan can help break down one barrier to health only for patients to face another when finding a local mental health professional. This is where telehealth can also play a role but with a mental health platform like MeHelp offering bulk-billed psychology online. "Using telehealth for a mental health plan is a frictionless process and you can be up and running with a psychology provider very quickly," Dr Boylan said. When selecting a telehealth provider there are some important factors to consider including the platform, who you will be seeing, their qualifications and the appointment process. There are rules and regulations around telehealth delivery but not all telehealth providers offer the same level of service. "Choose your service wisely," Dr Boylan said. "The gold standard is video call, but phone calls can be OK in some cases- and you should be speaking directly to the doctor or nurse, not through SMS or a third party. "Some of this seems basic, but there are some services out there where the doctor doesn't even speak directly with the patient. "It should also be made very clear what type of health professional you will be seeing, either a doctor or a nurse and you should be given enough time to talk about your issue and not be overly rushed." An appointment with Qoctor has patients speak directly with their doctor on video call with plenty of time allocated for the type of appointment booked. To learn more about Qoctor or to make an appointment, visit the website here. This is sponsored content for Qoctor. Telehealth, while it's always been available, really gained traction during the pandemic and has remained an important part of healthcare today. Not only does it remove barriers to health care like physical distance and time constraints, it's also affordable and often more readily available. Australian telehealth platform founded by GPs, Qoctor, is aiming to support the health of regional Australians by offering GP appointments, medical certificates, prescription renewals, pathology referrals and mental health support (including bulk-billed mental health plan referrals). However, the platform is not looking to replace local GPs but rather work alongside and support them. "We want people to think of online telehealth as an option if they are stuck for seeing a doctor," Qoctor CEO and GP Aifric Boylan said. "In a lot of areas GP clinics are overbooked and we want to be able to meet people in the moment when they are seeking help. If you miss that opportunity because of wait times, sometimes people stop seeking help." This is especially the case with mental health with appointments for mental health plans proving to be one of the more popular appointments. The use of telehealth to access a mental health plan can help break down one barrier to health only for patients to face another when finding a local mental health professional. This is where telehealth can also play a role but with a mental health platform like MeHelp offering bulk-billed psychology online. "Using telehealth for a mental health plan is a frictionless process and you can be up and running with a psychology provider very quickly," Dr Boylan said. When selecting a telehealth provider there are some important factors to consider including the platform, who you will be seeing, their qualifications and the appointment process. There are rules and regulations around telehealth delivery but not all telehealth providers offer the same level of service. "Choose your service wisely," Dr Boylan said. "The gold standard is video call, but phone calls can be OK in some cases- and you should be speaking directly to the doctor or nurse, not through SMS or a third party. "Some of this seems basic, but there are some services out there where the doctor doesn't even speak directly with the patient. "It should also be made very clear what type of health professional you will be seeing, either a doctor or a nurse and you should be given enough time to talk about your issue and not be overly rushed." An appointment with Qoctor has patients speak directly with their doctor on video call with plenty of time allocated for the type of appointment booked. To learn more about Qoctor or to make an appointment, visit the website here.
