Problems With Urine Drug Testing Surface Nationwide
Posted on: Tuesday, 26 July 2005, 09:01 CDT
CANTON, Mass., July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc. , July 26, 2005, comments on the growing problem of drug test adulteration in the workplace. The U.S. Government and other resources publish figures that indicate approximately 8.0-10.0% of American workers currently abuse drugs, with some industries such as construction, reporting figures closer to 25%. Statistics have shown a 500% increase in the use of painkillers over the past few years, while methamphetamine use continues to spread across the country. These figures combined with the proliferation of products to "beat a urine drug test" are clear indicators that lab-based urine testing has become less effective at deterring workplace drug abuse.
"It has become very difficult and in some cases virtually impossible for laboratories to detect the new generation of products available on the Internet that mask or cleanse illegal drugs in urine specimens," stated Peter P. Phildius, Chairman and CEO of Avitar. "While various pills, powders and beverages have been available since the early 1990s, products such as synthetic urine or dehydrated human urine are now on the market, and these are simply not detectable by current drug testing laboratory practices."
The issue of drug test adulteration has become so prevalent that it has garnered the attention of Congress which is considering passing legislation that would ban the sale of drug test "cheat kits." But in the meantime, the Internet makes these products readily available. "Avitar applauds discussions on Capitol Hill about the problems associated with urine drug test adulteration and substitution. But, corporations can attack the problem directly now by implementing testing programs that don't rely on urine such as oral fluid screening. A total drug free workplace solution lies in corporations moving to instant oral fluid based random testing which has proven to be singularly effective in deterring workplace drug use," Phildius continued.
Independent research documents that companies plagued with workplace drug abusers suffer rising employee turnover, absenteeism, tardiness, on-the-job accidents, health benefit utilization and costs, workers compensation claims, workplace violence and employee theft as directly attributable side effects. For additional information and material on the subject of workplace drug testing, visit http://www.avitarinc.com/.
About Avitar
Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products. Their field includes the oral fluid diagnostic market, the disease and clinical testing market, and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Avitar manufactures ORALscreen(R), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse, as well as HYDRASORB(R), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. Avitar is also developing diagnostic strategies for disease and clinical testing in the estimated $25 billion in-vitro diagnostics market. Conditions targeted include influenza, diabetes, and pregnancy. For more information, see Avitar's website at http://www.avitarinc.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement.
This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including the development and marketing of new applications and other risks that are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In view of such risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements.
Company Contact: PR Contact: Peter Cholakis Monica Pandolfi Avitar Technologies, Inc. Shift Communications 781-821-2440 x117 617-681-1235 pcholakis@avitarinc.com mpandolfi@shiftcomm.com IR Contact: Lisa DeScenza LaVoie Group 617-688-3088 ldescenza@lavoiegroup.com
Avitar, Inc.
CONTACT: Peter Cholakis of Avitar Technologies, Inc., +1-781-821-2440ext. 117, pcholakis@avitarinc.com, or Monica Pandolfi of Shift Communications,+1-617-681-1235, mpandolfi@shiftcomm.com; or Lisa DeScenza of LaVoie Group,+1-617-688-3088, ldescenza@lavoiegroup.com
Web site: http://www.avitarinc.com/
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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