A drug testing company that is boosting staff numbers by 30 per cent says firms are becoming increasingly concerned about substance misuse in the workplace.

Old Town-based Drug Test, the only independent sample testing company in the country, has been carrying out workplace testing in the UK since 1997.

Employers pay for a collection technician to visit their premises and collect random breath and urine samples. The breath results are given on the spot and the urine samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Tests look for evidence of use of cannabis, crack, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines, including ecstasy, as well as abuse of alcohol and pres-cription drugs.

Demand for testing is now so high that the firm has begun recruiting an additional 15 sample collectors, which will take the total number to 50.

Fred Case, general manager of Drug Test, said: "There is a growing recognition that there are an awful lot of drugs about. Employers are testing to fulfil their health and safety obligations in the workplace."

Drug Test has estimated that one in 10 Swindon workers may be abusing drugs. Drug abuse in the workplace can be dangerous to the employee and colleagues, as well as leading to reduced efficiency.