Substance Misuse Test

Substance Misuse Testing is a process in which you will be tested for the use of illegal drugs and the inappropriate use of prescribed or non-prescribed drugs and/or other substances.

This is a process to tackle misuse of substances that could either place at risk the health and safety of you, your colleagues or the public or could threaten to compromise individual and /or organisational integrity, efficiency and reputation.

This includes prospective Police Officers, Police Staff (permanent or temporary) and Special Police Constables.

The force will test for the following substances:

• Cannabis
• Opiates e.g. (Morphine and Heroin)
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Central Nervous System Depressants (eg Benzodiazepines)
• Hallucinogens (including MDMA)
• Anabolic Steroids/Habituals

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to continual review.

During the medical process with our Occupational Health and Welfare Unit you will be asked a number of questions relating to forms of medication/substances which you may have taken which impact on the result of the test. Following this you will be asked to provide a urine sample which will be tested for a number of substances.

You will know the result of the test the same day that you have provided it. However if the test is positive it will have to be sent away to a laboratory for further analysis which is expected to take 3-4 days. If the result is negative it is noted along with all your other medical details.

If your result is negative then this will considered along with all the other details gathered from medical process as to your suitability for the post you have been offered.

If you provide a positive sample, the sample which you have provided will be sent to a laboratory for further analysis.

It is possible for some prescribed medications to be identified in a positive result. This is what is called a ‘false positive result’. The questions which you are asked by the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit will identify any medications which may result in a false positive result being provided. To ensure that this does not impact on your application it is essential that you are honest in the declaration of any medication or substances that you have taken prior to give the sample. This information will be retained confidentially by the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit with only relevant information being used in the consideration of your application.

It is recognised that this type of information is highly sensitive and will be handled with this in mind. Results will only be provided to those who have a need to know within the medical process (Occupational Health and Welfare). All relevant data will be stored on the applicant’s medical file retained by the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit. HR or Learning and Development will be notified of the overall outcome of the medical process (ie pass or fail).

If you choose not to disclose this information and it is identified from the substance misuse test that you have taken such medication/substance you will be contacted by an independent medical review officer who will discuss the results and reasoning for the non-disclosure with you. This information will be used when giving consideration to whether or not your application will be successful.

If you choose not to provide a sample for testing then the force will not be able to proceed with your application, ultimately resulting in you being unsuccessful in gaining employment with the force.