What form should testing take?

Drugs can be detected in blood, sweat, urine, saliva and hair. Urine testing is the most popular method used at sea, being relatively simple and capable of being administered by shipboard personnel.

There are a number of ways of testing samples, ranging from do-it-yourself kits through to detailed laboratory analysis. The kits currently available on the market provide a simple, quick and relatively cheap screening test. The drawback is that they are not particularly accurate. Where an accurate result is required a full analysis by an independent laboratory working to international standards should be carried out.

Many companies successfully operate a two tier system of testing, utilising both on the spot and laboratory testing. 'Do it yourself' kits are used as a screening test, i.e. if a negative result is obtained no further testing is required. If however it shows a positive result the sample is sent off to an independent laboratory for full analysis.

We would recommend that where disciplinary action is contemplated a full laboratory test is conducted.

Whichever system you adopt it is important to ensure that the procedures are properly defined and followed. For example collection procedures should make sure that there is no opportunity for the individual to dilute or substitute or otherwise adulterate the sample. Any sample sent to a laboratory must be sent in a tamper-proof container with a unique identifier linking the individual, the sample and the chain of custody of documentation. It may be necessary for the company to prove that the samples could not have been tampered with.