As jackfrost said yesterday, who cares about the day-to-day...

As jackfrost said yesterday, who cares about the day-to-day share price movements. Let the traders play their games. More important is the long-term growth of the drug testing (and wider in-vitro diagnostics) markets and HGR's positioning within these markets.

With respect to this, noted yesterday that the Vic Government has released a discussion paper for community input to its development of a strategy to tackle amphetamine-type drug use in that State.

Workplace drug-use is a focus of the study - and the size of the problem is illustrated in the following extract from the discussion paper:

"Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and Related Drugs Strategy – Discussion Paper

There is particular concern about methamphetamine use by workers in some industries. There is evidence that methamphetamine is used with the intention of inhibiting sleep and fatigue and increasing or sustaining work performance. Analysis undertaken by the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction estimates that 9.3 per cent of hospitality workers, 5.2 per cent of construction workers and 5.4 per cent of transport workers had used meth/amphetamine in the previous 12 months (NCETA, 2006). Amphetamine use is associated with poor work performance, increased work absenteeism and risk of workplace accidents (Nicholas, 2006).
Further, there is evidence that truck drivers involved in crashes are more likely to have meth/ amphetamine in their bodies than is the case with drivers of other vehicles, with many crashes appearing to be related to the withdrawal phase following methamphetamine use (Nicholas, 2006).

The workplace, therefore, represents a potential intervention point, with industry groups and trade unions being potential partners in interventions"

The inquiry is looking for the following feedback:

“How might the Government work in partnership with business, employees and community organisations to reduce exposure and risk of amphetamines use in different settings and industries?”

I'm sure the issue of workplace testing will get a run here. After all, its the home town of the HGR management team and board