Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2005
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Author: Colin Patterson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANNABIS 'TO UNSAFE TO LEGALISE'

One of the world's leading experts on drug testing in the workplace
opposes legalising cannabis.

Dr Robert Willette has more than 30 years experience in drug testing
in the United States.

Willette, who visited New Zealand to conduct seminars for scientists
and health workers, said cannabis had too many side-effects to be a
safe legal drug. A recent New Zealand study that concluded users had a
10 per cent higher chance of developing schizophrenia was further
confirmation, he said.

Willette, whose specialty is pain relief, was sceptical of cannabis as
a pain reliever. "It is not very effective. It can provide relief for
some people in some conditions. But it's not a cure-all."

In the 1970s he managed a government-owned cannabis farm that supplied
the drug legally to clinics and researchers.  As more became known
about side-effects, most states repealed laws allowing medical use.
Now only eight allowed it, with tight restrictions.

After six years as director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse,
he set up a consulting company in 1981. He was almost immediately
hired by the US Navy, which had become concerned at the extent of drug
use.  He helped to develop a drug-testing programme that reduced
personnel using drugs from 48% in 1981 to 1% today.

In the 1980s he also helped to draft an executive order signed by
President Ronald Reagan that permitted drug tests for US federal
employees involved in safety and security positions.

Well-designed testing programmes were a good deterrent, he said. "They
catch enough people so that drug users have to think about stopping."

Companies spent too much on their staff to fire than at the first
offence.

Most used positive results to encourage employees to seek treatment,
he said. Testing techniques have also changed in line with scientific
advances.

Urine - the traditional form - had problems with privacy, and samples
could often be manipulated.  Hair testing was developed in the 1980s,
whiled saliva - used for decades in medical tests - could now be used
to identify the presence of drugs.

All had their advantages and disadvantages. "Saliva is now being used
for roadside tests to identify drivers under the influence of drugs.
Traces of drugs appear quickly but don't last long."

Swat testing is the latest technique. Willette believed it would
become more popular as it was easy to administer and did not pose
privacy problems.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin