Cocaine detections in New Zealand workplaces surge 118%

Cocaine detections in New Zealand workplaces rose 117.7% year on year in the third quarter, according to The Drug Detection Agency. The share of positive tests linked to cocaine reached its highest level in a year outside seasonal holiday peaks.

The figures come from TDDA's latest quarterly Imperans report, which analyses workplace drug testing across New Zealand. In the third quarter, 3.2% of all screens conducted by the company indicated the presence of drugs, up from 2.8% in the previous quarter.

Cocaine accounted for 3.2% of positive tests nationwide, while amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, made up 25.4%, cannabis 68.9%, and opioids 18.2%.

TDDA said the increase in cocaine detections appeared to be spreading beyond a pattern seen earlier in the South Island. It highlighted Auckland's North Shore as a standout area, where cocaine accounted for 11.5% of positive tests, up 266.1% year on year.

Other areas with notable increases in cocaine detections included Northland, where the share reached 3.9% of positive tests, up 73.4% year on year; Auckland West at 3.4%, up 60.6%; and Hawke's Bay at 3.1%, up 200%.

Glenn Dobson, Chief Executive Officer of The Drug Detection Agency, linked the movement to a broader shift in drug supply patterns.

"This quarter, our Imperans data points to a concerning shift in cocaine. We warned businesses in the South Island in particular last quarter, and now it's expanding to the North Island. Detections suggest that organised crime has found a suitable supply chain and they continue to identify markets, like Auckland's North Shore, where the drug can be sold effectively. This is following global supply trends," Dobson said.

Methamphetamine trend

Although cocaine recorded the sharpest annual increase, methamphetamine and related stimulants remained a much larger share of positive workplace tests. The national figure for amphetamine-type stimulants eased from 32.7% in the previous quarter, but remained on an upward trend over several quarters.

Regional data pointed to especially large rises in Wellington and Otago. In Wellington, amphetamine-type stimulants accounted for 45.1% of positive tests, up 203.3% year on year, while Otago recorded 28.8%, up 184.6%.

Auckland West also remained elevated, with amphetamine-type stimulants accounting for 21.9% of positive tests, up 71.7% year on year.

"While cocaine is on the rise, businesses can't take their eye off methamphetamines. The drug class remains an ever-growing plague in communities as well as in workplaces, and the harms of the drug, from paranoia and aggression to clouded judgement and chronic fatigue, are well known. Wellington saw over a 200% increase in positive results, and businesses in the area need to understand the signs of use and have a plan in place to manage workers," Dobson said.

Cannabis remains dominant

Cannabis continued to account for the largest share of positive workplace tests despite a small annual decline. Nationally, it represented 68.9% of positive results, down 3% year on year, though TDDA said the quarterly trend had turned upward again, rising 7% quarter on quarter.

Several regions recorded particularly high cannabis shares. Gisborne reached 73.3% of positive tests, up 193.3% year on year, while Taranaki reached 90%, up 35%, and The Lakes stood at 72.7%, up 22.4%.

Quarter-on-quarter changes were also marked in some areas, including Otago, where cannabis detections rose 33.2%, and Taranaki, where they rose 110%.

The report drew on testing from 27 sterile clinic locations and more than 60 mobile clinics across New Zealand. It combined data from pre-employment, post-incident, regular and random testing, using both urine and oral fluid screening methods.

TDDA said the report uses non-negative initial screening results as its measure of positive results rather than only confirmed laboratory positives, because some samples do not proceed to confirmatory testing for operational reasons. The data was anonymised and aggregated through its Imperans reporting system.

Dobson said employers should review workplace policies and response plans as year-end social events approach.

"Ahead of the holiday season, I'd recommend going through your health and safety checklist, and ensure it includes a comprehensive drug and alcohol policy and action plan for the worst that could happen. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 puts the obligation on employers to manage foreseeable risks. With the right system in place to handle a situation, you can maintain a healthy and productive workforce, even through the silly season," Dobson said.

He added that testing and staff education should work together in managing workplace risks tied to substance use.

"At TDDA, our mission is what we call protecting the girl on the bike. The truck, the commuter car, the construction site she rides past, every one of them is part of getting her home safely. That is what we are protecting," Dobson said.