DRUG TEST CHEATS OUTLINED

Elaborate cheating devices such as fake penises and urine-filled condoms
should not put employers off workplace drug testing, says an overseas
consultant.

American forensic toxicologist Dr Leo Kadehjian outlined to the Employment
Court avoidance methods such as supplying false penises - in four colours
to match skin types - for holding substitute urine, bought freeze-dried
with guarantees to test negative.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), which Air New
Zealand wants to use for random and other forms of testing of its 10,000
staff, provides heat strips in collection vessels to ensure urine is
provided at body temperature.

But Dr Kadehjian, whose consulting clients include the United States
federal courts and drug-testing technology supplier Dade Behring,
acknowledged that it could be "incredibly difficult" to identify internally
secreted urine without DNA testing.

But he said random screening would limit preparedness of cheats.

Asked by unions lawyer John Haigh, QC, about alleged detoxification powders
sold on websites such as www.passyourdrugtest.com, Dr Kadehjian said their
only effectiveness lay in getting people to drink huge amounts of water in
short periods.

Although this could bring cannabis smokers below the threshold, ESR tests
could detect abnormal dilution.