From NZ Herald · · 2m
Workplace Cocaine Use Spiked 266% in North Shore
North Shore workplace cocaine tests up 266% as drug use rises nationwide.
In brief
North Shore workplace cocaine tests up 266% as drug use rises nationwide. North Shore workplace cocaine tests rose 266% compared to previous year, with nationwide cocaine tests up 117%. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Cocaine tests up 117%
Cocaine’s share of positive workplace tests nationwide jumped 117% compared to the previous year.
North Shore hotbed
North Shore accounted for 11.5% of positive cocaine tests in the July-September quarter, a 266.1% leap compared to the previous year.
Meth tests up 200%
Wellington saw over a 200% increase in positive meth results compared to the previous year.
Cannabis use rising
Gisborne workplace cannabis tests rose 193% compared to the previous year, with Taranaki seeing an 110% quarterly increase.
TDDA report
The Drug Detection Agency’s quarterly report shows 250,000 workplace tests annually, with poly-drug use common.
Dobson’s warning
Chief executive Glenn Dobson warned businesses about the risks of cocaine’s 'misplaced confidence' on safety-critical sites.
Regional trends
Cocaine use is expanding from the South Island to the North Island, with organized crime identified as a key driver.
Workplace safety
Dobson urged businesses to review health and safety checks and implement drug and alcohol policies for worst-case scenarios.
National trends
Cannabis remains the most common workplace drug test result at 69%, followed by methamphetamine at 25% and opioids at 18%.
TDDA data
TDDA tests 87 clinics nationwide, including 60 mobile clinics, with positive results for poly-drug use common.
Cocaine risks
Cocaine impairs judgment by producing 'misplaced confidence,' leading to reckless decisions in high-pressure environments.
Meth trends
Methamphetamine workplace tests dropped as a share of all positive tests but remained higher than the previous year.
Dobson’s advice
Dobson recommended businesses review health and safety checks and implement drug and alcohol policies for worst-case scenarios.
Regional variations
Regional differences in drug use show Gisborne and Taranaki experiencing significant increases in workplace cannabis testing.
TDDA’s role
TDDA is New Zealand’s largest workplace drug testing agency, with 250,000 annual tests across the country.
Next steps
Businesses are urged to update health and safety policies to address rising drug use trends ahead of the holiday season.
The short version
North Shore workplace cocaine tests rose 266% compared to previous year, with nationwide cocaine tests up 117%.
