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A leading workplace drug detection company is opening a new branch in Elizabeth Street, Warkworth on Monday, May 7. Gary Howarth has been general manager of The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) in North Harbour since 2015 and says the time is right to expand into Warkworth.
“We already have an established client base in the area and we work a lot with NX2 on the roading project,” he says. “Everyone has been asking me when are we going to open an office in Warkworth, I listened and thought well, we need to take a leap of faith and just do it.”
TDDA offers a wide range of detection, education and drug and alcohol awareness services and works with a wide range of companies and organisations, from small businesses to family courts. A big part of the work is developing policies and tools for companies to increase drug education and awareness for management and employees, as well as carrying out actual drug tests.
“A large percentage of our work is pre-employment testing,” Gary says. “It’s a gatekeeper. We’re not out to catch people, but companies are spending a lot of money to employ and train people and they don’t want to lose them.”
TDDA can carry out tests using breath, oral swabs, urine and hair samples and analysis is done at its own lab on the North Shore. They are on call 24 hours a day, their services are confidential and they do not pass information to the police.
Gary joined TDDA after working as a private investigator and security consultant, and was with Auckland Police before that. He lives in East Coast Bays with his wife, Tracey, and two children, and is passionate about rugby – he’s a member of Mahurangi RFC and is deputy chair of North Harbour Rugby.
Gary says he’s looking forward to meeting Warkworth locals and business owners over the coming weeks. “I’m sure everyone will see the TDDA van out and about around town, so feel free to pop into the office for a coffee and chat.”
