PRE-EMPLOYMENT HAIR FOLLICLE DRUG TESTING
Hair Follicle Testing provides evidence of historical use and habitual use
(urine, body fluids and saliva DO NOT)
Pre-employment Hair Follicle Testing keeps the problem from entering your workforce
Hair Follicle Testing Australia (a division of Optimum Health Clinic) in conjunction with AWDTS, Brassets Clinical Services and Psychemedics forensic-accredited laboratory, provide hair testing for individuals, legal firms and Pre-Employment testing for employers. Hair testing is unique, providing information about long-term and chronic drug use.
Testing is conducted by experienced professionals who are qualified in compliance with Australian Standards, having completed training and obtained a Statement of Attainment under the auspices of ASQA. Proof of qualifications are available upon request. Equipment complies with, and in some cases exceeds Australian Standards.
Testing is by appointment only. A written report will be provided. Hair test results will be available within 1 to 2 weeks.
Australian Standards (AS/NZS4308:2008 and AS4760:2006)
Pre-employment Hair Follicle Testing allows you to establish and maintain a safe workplace
Forensic hair testing
Hair testing provides information about long-term and chronic drug use, patterns of use and approximate time periods when drugs have been taken. The length of history of a person’s drug use is limited only to their hair length. Any drugs taken remain fixed in the hair as it grows out from the scalp, so the drugs stay within that piece of hair, even after death. The service we are offering requires a single 3 cm of hair (3 month’s growth) which will be analysed from a hair sample submitted for a range of drugs as below.
We utilise the services of Psychemedics Corporation, the pioneers of hair follicle drug testing and recommended by the FBI as being the US’s top laboratory in this field. Specialist instrumentation is used to look at the chemical structure of specific drugs. It is the unique structure of each drug that ensures our scientists are correctly reporting the presence of a particular drug.
Advantages of hair testing
• provides information on a person’s pattern of drug use and does not record “one-off” or occasional use
• impossible to ‘cheat’ a hair test (except by using someone else’s hair). Bleaching and dyeing of the hair do not compromise the testing given the unique washing process used by Psychemedics
• provides a longer history than urine testing for criminal and family law matters (around 3 months) and as part of the Pre-Employment investigation process
• useful in managing an employee or offender under community supervision who has previously submitted a positive test and is in a rehabilitation programme
What drugs can be tested for?
Samples may be collected and be tested for around 23 drugs and their metabolites including:
- Marijuana
- THCA Cocaine
- Hydromorphone PCP PCP (Angel Dust) Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Cocaethylene & Norococaine Opiates 6MAM (Heroin)
- Methamphetamine
- Benzoylecgonine
- Oxymorphone
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- D-AMP
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- MDEA (Eve)
Reporting Results
Laboratory results are reported electronically. A hair test result is available in one to two weeks post sample collection. Results are reported only to the person nominated to receive the results. The report will detail whether the drugs listed above were detected or not. Reports are Forensic accredited.
Costs (as at August 2016)
Drug screen test and report for single segment of hair providing a three-month history
(Covers collection, air freight, laboratory costs and a short report detailing drugs tested and any detection)
$484 (incl. GST)
Additional Reporting (if required for Court)
Dr Michael Robertson, one of Australia’s leading forensic hair follicle drug testing experts is available for written opinion or as an expert witness.
Hourly rate $330 (Excl GST)
ADVANTAGES OF HAIR FOLLICLE TESTING OVER OTHER METHODS
CURBS CHEATING/FALSE RESULTS
Anyone that wants to beat a urine drug test can do so easily. The information on "how to beat the drug test" is widely available.
Unlike urine testing, hair follicle testing cannot be easily falsified when tested under the strict collection procedures.
SIMPLER & QUICKER COLLECTION
Hair Follicle Testing allows for strict observation of collections in non-invasive manner.
Our methods utilise the smallest amount of hair required in addition to much more streamlined packaging and transportation of samples when compared to other testing methods.
HIGHEST RATE OF POSITIVE RESULTS
The patented system we use removes virtually 100% of the drugs from the hair follicle.
Studies have shown this form of testing to identify up to 10 times more drug users than urinalysis testing.
RE-TESTING AVAILABLE
Should the situation arise where the results of a hair analysis are challenged, re-testing is able to be performed due to the wide window of detection available through hair testing.
This same window of detection is not available in other testing methods.
LOWER LONG TERM EXPENDITURE
Whilst urine testing is a lower up front cost it is also a much lower detection rate and greater risk of falsified results.
Hair Follicle testing provides a far superior detection rate which in turn reduces costs incurred through false testing, accidents and general workplace issues that arise from drug affected employees.
HISTORICAL DRUG USE DATA
Hair Follicle Testing provides a long term analysis of drug use.
Hair follicles chronologically record drug use which allows for a summation of the approximate drug use patterns and quantities. This is not available with urine testing.
In addition to Hair Follicle Drug Testing we can also provide the following pre-employment and post-employment onsite testing:
Pre Employment:
• Long term Drug and Alcohol Testing
Onsite, Post employment :
• Breath Alcohol Testing
• Drug Testing: Urine and Oral Fluids
A test for chronic alcohol use may be conducted as a separate test.