# Workplace Cocaine Use Spiked 266% in North Shore

> North Shore workplace cocaine tests up 266% as drug use rises nationwide.
- Title: Workplace Cocaine Use Spiked 266% in North Shore · NZ Herald
- Summary: North Shore workplace cocaine tests up 266% as drug use rises nationwide. North Shore workplace cocaine tests rose 266% compared to previous year, with…
- Keywords: nzherald, workplace, cocaine, meth, tdd, drug testing, north shore, workplace testing, cannabis, opioids, drug use, workplace safety
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/revealed-the-regions-where-workplace-cocaine-use-spiked-266-meth-by-200/premium/E72LLAWW6RBSFOAUCN2OIDLINQ
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nzherald, workplace, cocaine, meth, tdd, drug testing, north shore, workplace testing, cannabis, opioids, drug use, workplace safety
## 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.
## Key takeaway

North Shore workplace cocaine tests rose 266% compared to previous year, with nationwide cocaine tests up 117%.