Drug testing in Victoria’s skies underscores a significant issue: drug use is pervasive across all areas of society. If you’re a workplace manager or owner, it’s a problem too big to ignore or simply push aside.
Pilot caught at Melbourne with cocaine in system
The Herald Sun has reported that a pilot operating an international flight that landed at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport has tested positive to cocaine.
The drug testing incident occurred in August 2023, but we’re only hearing about it now because CASA did not publicly disclose the result. Exact details are not known, however, it’s understood the pilot is not Australian and was not flying with an Australian carrier.
Following the positive drug testing result in Melbourne, the pilot was immediately stood down and flown home.
According to the Herald Sun, the pilot’s drug test was uncovered during the Australian Border Force’s Operation Jet Engine. The months-long campaign primarily targeted baggage handlers, airline staff and ground crew involved in criminal activities.
The pilot with cocaine in their system wasn’t the only airplane crew member caught during the campaign. A cabin crew member on a separate flight was also found to be working while under the influence of drugs, in this case methamphetamine.
Drug testing of pilots, airline crew, ground staff and maintenance workers in Victoria and across Australia is commonplace. Each year, around 9000 random drug and alcohol tests are conducted by CASA.
Decision not to make public criticised
The decision not to go public with the pilot’s positive drug test has been criticised by industry specialists, who say it is the public’s right to know.
The Herald Sun quotes Flight Safety Group chief executive Colin Weir. He said in the Herald Sun article that major stakeholders could be hesitant to disclose such drug testing incidents due to concern that it would make their testing protocols appear substandard.
“An airline would be very reluctant to disclose those sorts of details because it shows that they haven’t done their job in cross checking,” he said. “CASA would also be a bit wary of that because (they believe) it might show that their system is not working properly with random testing.”
Although CASA would not comment specifically on the positive drug test by the pilot in Victoria, they did say they have zero tolerance when it comes to drugs or alcohol.
Key message for workplaces
An airplane is one workplace where you’d expect responsible employees who wouldn’t come to work under the influence. And in most cases, this is likely to be true. However, clearly there are people who do take risks.
For workplace managers and owners, in Victoria and across Australia, this sends a clear message. If a pilot if willing to take a risk with drugs or alcohol, a factory worker, a truck or bus driver, a miner or a manufacturing employee may also take risks. Having a robust drug and alcohol policy in place and conducting drug testing is the only way to protect your business.
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A pilot who flew an international service into Victoria has provided a positive drug testing result for cocaine.
