Avitar's Notes Significance of New On-Site Oral Fluid Drug Testing Laws
August 15 2007 - 9:16AM
PR Newswire (US)
Drug Free Workplace Programs To Become More Effective, Widespread
CANTON, Mass., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc.
(OTC:AVTI) (BULLETIN BOARD: AVTI) highlights the importance of the
State of Hawaii's recent updating of their workplace drug testing
laws to incorporate oral fluid-based on-site technology and its
associated benefits. "The State of Hawaii's new law enabling
on-site oral fluid-based drug testing dramatically improves any
company's ability to promote a drug free workplace and truly manage
on-the-job drug abuse," said Pete Phildius, Chairman & CEO of
Avitar. "Most employers know that workplace drug abuse is as bad if
not worse than ever," continued Phildius. "The convenience of on-
site oral fluid testing, when compared to traditional
laboratory-based urine drug testing, will play an important role in
reversing this costly trend." In response to the support of
multiple trade unions and industries, Hawaii enacted a new law
which went into effect July 1, 2007, allowing companies that
previously used laboratory-based urinalysis to use newer on-site
oral fluid- based technology. "Drug and alcohol abuse remain a
problem in Hawaii's workforce. The law will go a long way towards
helping to promote a drug-free workplace. This measure provides a
cost effective on-the-job alternative to lab tests that can be
costly and difficult to schedule." -- Lt. Governor Aiona. The
construction industry in particular advocated the need to replace
urine-based testing, noting that on-site oral fluid devices are
cheaper, faster and easier to use than urinalysis. Traditional
urine testing typically takes several days to obtain results, and
requires applicants or employees to go to specified collections
sites/clinics. On-site oral fluid technology provides initial
results within 5-15 minutes at a fraction of the cost of urine lab
tests. Any non-negative on-site test results can also be confirmed
in a laboratory using oral fluid. Lastly, oral fluid technology
enables observed specimen collection. This is also a very important
feature due to the prevalent practice of substance abuse "beating"
urine-based testing techniques. About Avitar, Inc. Avitar, Inc.
develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary
products. Their field includes the oral fluid diagnostic market,
the disease and clinical testing market, and customized
polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry.
Avitar manufactures ORALscreen(R), the world's first non-invasive,
rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse, as well as
HYDRASORB(R), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy
exudating wounds. Avitar is also developing diagnostic strategies
for disease and clinical testing in the estimated $25 billion
in-vitro diagnostics market. Conditions targeted include influenza,
diabetes, and pregnancy. For more information, see Avitar's website
at http://www.avitarinc.com/. Forward-Looking Statements This
release contains forward looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties including the development and marketing of
new applications and other risks that are detailed from time to
time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In view of such risks and uncertainties, the Company's
actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
such forward looking statements. Contact: Peter Cholakis Vice
President - Marketing Avitar, Inc. +1-781-821-2440, x117
http://www.avitarinc.com/ DATASOURCE: Avitar, Inc. CONTACT: Peter
Cholakis, Vice President - Marketing of Avitar, Inc.,
+1-781-821-2440, x117, Web site: http://www.avitarinc.com/
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