Drug detection procedures 'becoming common for oil workers'

Drug detection tests are becoming commonplace for employees in the US oil industry, it has been suggested.

Many individuals are moving to Williston, North Dakota to pick up high-paying jobs in the industry, television station KFYR-TV reports, with many undergoing lab analysis.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is used in this form of testing to separate chemicals for identification and oil driller Carl Dierks said he must supply samples on a regular basis.

"You have to drug test before every job and then you have random [tests] throughout the ... job," he explained. "I've been doing this a little over 18 years - a lot of drug testing."

According to Altitude Analysis, a drug detection lab, individuals in the industry do long hours and some take methamphetamine and cocaine to stay awake.

Linette Champagne, a professional collector with the organisation, said there has been a huge jump in the number of workers required to submit to lab work assessments recently.