Fingerprint-based drug testing system targets logistics

This makes it less invasive than urine or saliva-based drug tests.

The test is used to determine if an employee has recently used cocaine, opiates, amphetamines or cannabis. Sample collection takes five seconds, with simultaneous screening results for all four drug groups provided in eight minutes, according to the firm.

Should an employee or contractor’s drug screen test positive – the tester would then use Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Fingerprint Collection Kit for Laboratory Analysis to collect samples for a confirmation test.

The kit for the laboratory confirmation service also includes everything required to securely send the collected samples to the testing laboratory including a tamper-evident security bag, barcodes to maintain anonymous sample identity and a postage-paid returns envelope.

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates said: “With the Department of Transport reporting a seven-fold increase in convictions for drug-driving since 2015(1) there’s an increased pressure on transport and logistics firms to ensure that their drivers are both alcohol and drug-free. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, transport and logistics firms have a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees, so an effective drug screening and testing service should be a critical element of any workplace drug policy."