The SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) says drug abuse in the workplace is costing the business sector billions each year in lost hours and reduced productivity.

Sanca director Shamin Garda says drug abuse in general, but in the workplace in particular, had reached "epidemic" proportions and was posing a real threat to the economy.

The majority of drug users who come to Sanca fall in the 18 to 35-year-old category. For executives, the drug of choice remains cocaine but cheaper and more "effective" drugs such as cat and tik are rapidly catching up.

Now, however, a solution is at hand thanks to an innovative drug detection service offered by background screening company MIE.

Using a small kit known as Drug Detective, the company's expertly trained biometrics specialists can produce results in a matter of minutes by swiping work surfaces and items like telephones and computer keyboards.

By providing conclusive proof of drug abuse, the necessary steps can be taken to refer the employee for drug counselling or to take other necessary actions.

MIE chief executive Ina van der Merwe says because of the need for a quick and easy way to identify drug users, the company had procured the exclusive rights to market the kit to the background screening market.

"Drug users always leave trace amounts on everything they touch. These trace amounts can be detected using the kit," she said.

The kit consists of a small sponge that is swiped over areas the suspected user has come into contact with. It is then tested with a chemical solution and the results are displayed on an indicator which shows which drug was found. The results are 100 percent accurate.

Contact Nina de Winter on 012 644 4000. Visit www.mie.co.za