Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 43 | Seite 18

18 | Aycliffe Today Business
DATS
THE WAY
Drug and Alcohol Testing Services is providing vital
operations to businesses in all sectors
“Employers do not screen their employees
for drugs or alcohol because they want to
catch anybody out, they do it to ensure their
employees are capable of doing their jobs
safely.”
A stark and simple statement from the MD
of North-East firm Drug and Alcohol Testing
Services.
It might sound straightforward, says Abdul
Shakeel, but the reality of that statement
is definitely anything but. Drug and alcohol
misuse can and does affect an individual’s
ability to work safely, compromises high
standards and ultimately can put lives at risk.
Step in DATS.
The specialist services provided by the
company 24 hours a day, seven days a week
have been specifically designed to address
the issue. As well as carrying out drug and
alcohol testing and screening services, Shak
and his team also use their expertise in an
advisory capacity delivering policy advice and
management and leadership training on the
subject.
They serve companies large and small
across a whole range of sectors from oil and
gas to nuclear, local authorities to transport,
construction, engineering, housing and
port authorities as well as the National Grid
workforce and Network Rail to name just a
few.
The expanding firm, which started out
six years ago, already works with several
companies on Aycliffe Business Park, and is
keen to let others know about the services
it offers.
“It is now regarded as being much more
acceptable on a weekend to do class A or
class B drugs than it ever was,” says Shak, a
former police custody sergeant.
“Plus, there has been a marked change
in the availability of class A and class B
substances.
“10 years ago, 90% of those screened at
work were detected in relation to alcohol.
10 years later 90% of the detection made
is in relation to illegal drugs. Culture and
social change has shifted and that has been
recognised by employers who are concerned
about the effect on their operations.
“There’s a conception that what someone
does in their own time is their own business
Words: By Joanne Barrett
Pictures: Chris Booth
and that is correct in some respects. But
an individual taking illegal substances might
still have them in their system on a Monday
morning – and that will have an effect.”
Shak left the police force to train to
become a lawyer. During his post graduate
law studies, he was called on for advice by
a number of companies with concerns over
drug and alcohol issues in the workplace.
An obvious need for a specialist testing
service was there and, says Shak, that’s
where DATS began.
The company has had a few bases in the
Teesside area but as it has steadily grown
and expanded, has recently moved into a
suite of offices at Royal Middlehaven House
in Middlesbrough’s Gosford Street.
Physical base aside, DATS works with
companies all over the region and beyond
conducting its specialist testing services and
working in an advisory capacity to train and
educate.
Last year, for example, testing and
screening services were carried out on
pipeline personnel working in the Ivory
Coast.
It also offers flexibility with a round-the-
clock service that ensures there is always
someone at the end of the phone to deal
with a situation should the need arise.
Equipment is Home Office approved and