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QUEENSLAND CORRECTIVE SERVICES
APPENDIX – RANDOM TESTING FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES
Availability: Public
Implement Date: 28 August 2006
Random testing programs will be conducted a minimum of four times a year in accordance
with an approved statistical model. The Drug Strategy Unit will accept responsibility for
costs of random testing programs.
Facilities are to provide staff for collection of test samples for the random testing program.
Testing may use instant test kits or immunoassay, as determined by Drug Strategy Unit.
Irrespective of the testing methodology any presumptive positive must be confirmed using
GCMS technology.
Random Program Procedures
The Drug Strategy Unit will determine the number of prisoners at each facility required to
provide test samples, from the approved statistical model. A computer program will
provide a list of randomly selected names of prisoners to provide test samples. These
names are to be provided to the corrective services facility health centre a few days prior
to sampling. Facility medication records for randomly selected prisoners are to be checked
prior to testing to determine whether any positive result may have been caused by
authorised medication. Such results are not to be included in any statistics.
Lists are to be forwarded to the Intelligence section of the corrective services facility prior
to the day selected for test sample collection.
Facilities will identify test samples in the same manner as targeted test samples using bar
coded labels and where appropriate forward samples to Queensland Health for analysis.
Any presumptive positive result will undergo further confirmatory testing by Queensland
Health.
Cannabis
The placement of prisoners returning positive results to cannabis will be determined for the
six (6) weeks prior to the sample being taken as follows—
o
Positive results for prisoners who have served more than six (6) weeks of a
sentence and who transferred during the previous six (6) weeks to the facility, at
which the sample was taken, must not be included in statistics for that facility. The
results are to be included in statistics for state-wide illicit drug use. The facility
concerned will, however be advised of the positive result for their local action.
o
Positive results for prisoners who were received into custody at the commencement
of a term of imprisonment during the previous six (6) weeks are not to be included
in statistics for the facility in which the sample was taken, nor in statistics for statewide use. They are to be listed as a separate category of "possible ingestion prior
to imprisonment".
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Reporting
Positive results as advised by Queensland Health will be centrally correlated by the Drug
Strategy Unit and individual facilities advised accordingly. The Drug Strategy Unit will
further report consolidated information following completion of each testing event.
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