Urine drug testing remains standard for vocational drivers, says AOEMM
PETALING JAYA: The Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia (AOEMM) states that urine drug testing remains the most practical method for drug testing.
"While we fully support efforts to enhance road safety and reduce substance misuse-related incidents among vocational drivers, AOEMM believes urine drug testing is the most practical, cost-effective, and internationally accepted method for routine drug screening."
AOEMM was responding to The Star article on June 28, titled 'Blood tests preferred for vocational driving licence'.
"For over 15 years, AOEMM has been actively involved in training Malaysian medical and occupational safety practitioners in workplace drug testing, following established international standards — including those of the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT).
"These globally recognised protocols endorse urine, and more recently oral fluid, as the primary specimens for drug testing," it said in a statement on Sunday (June 29).
"Blood testing is not approved under US DOT guidelines for routine workplace screening due to its shorter detection window, higher cost, and more invasive collection process.
It said urine testing allows for the detection of drug use over several days, offering a broader detection window that enhances its utility as a deterrent.
"In contrast, blood testing is more suitable for post-incident or emergency testing rather than routine screening."
It added that urine collection is also non-invasive and logistically straightforward.
"Furthermore, it does not require trained phlebotomists, clinical centrifugation, or stringent biohazard controls, all of which would be necessary for widespread blood testing."
Currently, private medical facilities offer urine drug testing for as low as RM30, while blood testing may cost up to ten times more and demands more clinical resources.
"Such a shift could create inequities in access and overburden government clinics."
"We stand ready to support the Transport Ministry, the Road Safety Council, and other relevant stakeholders in strengthening Malaysia's drug testing policy through evidence-based and cost-effective approaches.
"Our shared goal remains clear, which is to protect public safety on the roads while ensuring fair and scientifically sound practices for Malaysian workers," it added.
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