Drug and Alcohol Testing Update
August 09, 2009
CASA has altered the drug testing regime after the problems reported last Pilot Extra, and I have been in detailed discussions with them following member concerns about the possibility of false positives.
On 19 June CASA issued Instrument 263/09. You can see the details on the CASA website if interested.
The new drug test is a two stage process. I am told that it is based very much on testing used by two State police forces.
First, you are asked to take a saliva sample from your tongue and the inside of your cheeks using a device known as a DrugWipe. It then takes 10 minutes for the DrugWipe to be processed by the tester.
If the test shows a “negative” that is the end of it.
If a “positive” occurs, the second stage is used to check. You are asked to run a Cozart Oral Swab around your gums and tongue, then leave it under your tongue until it turns blue indicating the sample is complete. The tester will then process the Cozart Swab.
If a negative occurs in this second stage of the testing, that is the end of the testing and you are “all clear” – even though the initial test showed a positive.
If, however, the Cozart shows a positive, the tester will follow required process and you will be asked to stand down from any aviation safety sensitive duty until the testing is confirmed by laboratory.
CASA have agreed that we target a false positive rate no greater than one percent of all testing and that they will provide (de-identified) statistics for the public record.
The good news is that, since testing recommenced, at time of writing there has been a zero false positive rate across both the drug and alcohol testing.
AOPA will continue to monitor the D&A testing and discussion with CASA at senior levels. The new tests may actually miss some less recent drug use but we appreciate that CASA is balancing a fine line between that and false positives.
In the ultimate, over indulgence in alcohol and/or drugs does not mix with aviation or the freedom to fly responsibly. Safe flying!
