Drug testing is now common on NSW roads and in workplaces. It plays an important role in keeping drivers safe and workplaces drug free. But these aren’t the only areas where drug testing proves invaluable.
In NSW prisons, drug testing has been used for many years. Both random and targeted testing are carried out to deter drug use, identify people who use drugs and provide information on the levels and types of drugs being used. This helps protect not only inmates, but also prison staff and visitors.
Recently, a prison in the ACT has introduced a new approach that adds another tool to the fight against drugs. Canberra’s prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), is using wastewater testing to better understand and respond to drug use among detainees.
Wastewater drug testing in Canberra prison
According to a Canberra Daily article, wastewater testing at the AMC began in May. The initiative is part of ACT Corrective Services’ broader drug strategy. It complements existing measures such random and targeted drug testing, and rehabilitation programs.
The first wastewater sample taken at the prison on 13 May, revealed elevated levels of amphetamines, methylamphetamine and EDDP, a metabolite of methadone. At the same time, individual drug testing showed that many new detainees were entering custody already under the influence of illicit drugs.
ACT Corrections Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said wastewater testing provides “another tool to understand what substances may be circulating in the AMC”. While more data is needed to guide policy, the testing gives prison staff a clearer picture of drug use trends.
ACT Corrective Services Commissioner Leanne Close explained that wastewater testing fits with the AMC’s health-first approach. It enhances their ability to track and respond to drug use and helps them adapt to ongoing challenges such as contraband entering prisons.
Wastewater drug testing in NSW not new
Using wastewater to detect drug use is certainly not a new idea. Since 2016, the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program has been operating across Australia, including NSW.
This program, managed by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, collects samples from sewage treatment plants. The results provide a snapshot of drug consumption in both urban and regional communities. It has given authorities valuable data about the use of substances such as methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin.
While the program does not identify individuals, it allows governments and health agencies to respond to trends and shifts in drug use. For correctional facilities, adopting wastewater testing offers a way to build on this national knowledge and create local, targeted responses.
Workplace drug testing across NSW
While prison staff and authorities take care of drug testing in NSW prisons, in the workplace it’s Integrity Sampling. We see firsthand the importance of drug testing in protecting people and maintaining safe environments, whether it’s in prisons or in workplaces.
Across NSW, we operate from 12 locations, including Ballina, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Goulburn, Griffith, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong/Illawarra. Our team provides professional workplace drug testing services to help businesses reduce risk, meet compliance obligations and keep their employees safe.
Go to our NSW contact page for information on our services in the state.
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Drug testing in NSW prisons is vital for safety. Learn how Canberra’s prison is trialling wastewater testing and why Integrity Sampling leads workplace drug testing across NSW.
