New data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) shows New Zealand workplaces are facing a spike in opioid and amphetamine use, with regional hotspots showing steep increases in positive drug tests.
TDDA’s Q2 2025 Imperans Report found opioids accounted for 18.9% of all workplace drug detections – with tramadol alone making up 3.1%. The findings echo growing global concern around prescription opioid misuse, particularly its dependence risks and links to risks of impairment.
Amphetamine-type substances (ATS) comprised 31% of positives –– while slightly down from Q1 (31.6%), this drug type is still elevated against late 2024 levels (30%), signalling persistent methamphetamine activity in New Zealand’s workplaces.
Cannabis remained the most commonly detected substance overall at 63.3%, down 5.4% from 68.7% in Q1 2025. In regions like Gisborne and Tasman, THC remains the dominant substance detected, surpassing 75% of all positive screens.
The overall positivity rate held steady at 3.31%, but the mix of drugs is shifting in what TDDA describes as a “dangerous direction”.
“Our Q2 findings make it very clear that the types of substances people are taking changes rapidly,” TDDA chief executive Glenn Dobson says.
“The rise in opioid detections, including tramadol positives, is a clear sign that employers must stay vigilant.
“Amphetamine and cannabis activity also remains a serious concern, they are dominant choice in several regions.”
Dobson says employers need to take a hard look at their policies and training.
“In high-risk environments, drugs and alcohol have catastrophic consequences for worker safety and business continuity.
“Businesses need to rapidly address any gaps in awareness on prescription opioids such as tramadol, especially in Bay of Plenty and Auckland East where we’re seeing sharp upticks.”
He says the shifting drug landscape demands a proactive response.
“Businesses cannot afford to be complacent. The drugs people are taking change rapidly. The shift to opiates and amphetamines need careful management because the data show substance misuse is evolving.”
TDDA’s Q2 report was based on testing data collected from 27 clinic locations and 60 mobile clinics throughout New Zealand. Annually, the organisation processes more than 250,000 drug tests throughout Australasia.
TDDA workplace testing showed the most prevalent substances detected across all positive tests in New Zealand:
· Cannabis (THC): was present in 63.3% of positive3 tests down 5.4% from 68.7% in Q1 2025.
· Amphetamine-type substances (ATS): 31%, down 0.6%
· Opiates and opioids (including ‘oxy’ and tramadol): 18.9%, up 4.6%
- Tramadol: accounted for 3.1% of opiate and opioid testing this quarter.
- Q2 marks is the first time TDDA has independently tested for Tramadol
· Benzodiazepines: 4.7%, down 0.2%
· Cocaine: unchanged at 1.7%
Region-specific spikes underline the challenge:
· Gisborne: THC represented 91.7% of local positives, an increase of 27% from Q1; ATS also rose from 11.8% to 33.3% in the same quarter.
· Tasman: THC increased from 58.3% in Q1 to 77.8% of local positives.
· Bay of Plenty: Opioid detections jumped from 12.8% in Q1 to 25.4% of local positives
· Auckland East: Opioid detections jumped from 10.2% in Q1 to 25.9% of local positives
· The Lakes: ATS surged more than 22%, from 37% in Q1 to 59.6% of local positives.
*Go to tdda.com for more information.
