A million people go to work with drugs in their system

A study has revealed a million workers go into work with drugs still in their system

An analysis of 1.7m random tests in 856 British workplaces has shown that a million people a day go to work with drugs still in their system.

Workers aged 25-34 were most likely to test positive for Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin, and men are three times more likely to test positive than women.

The workers tested by drug-testing firm Concateno included lorry drivers and people working in construction and the police force.

Drug use among employees stands at one in every 30 member of staff, a rise by 43 per cent since the last study in 2007.

Niamh Eastwood, of Release, a campaign group for changes in drugs laws, said: ‘Testing should not be used outside of safety-critical jobs. Unless it begins to affect performance, then what people do in their private lives is up to them.

'If someone takes drugs on a Saturday night, by Monday they will be sober of the drug but still test positive.

‘If someone’s drug use is becoming a problem it should treated as a medical issue.’

Testing positive for drugs in the workplace can be grounds for disciplinary action or dismissal.

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