The number of workers and job candidates testing positive for use of opiates and prescription drugs with opiates fell significantly over the past year, according to the latest data from Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc., the state's largest locally owned drug testing company.

Diagnostic's third-quarter test results show the number of people using either legal or illegal opiate drugs fell to under 0.25 percent from more than 0.5 percent a year ago.

Carl Linden, Diagnostic Laboratories scientific director, said he was unsure why opiate use had declined over the past year, but that it followed an increase in usage of opiates over the past several years.

Other test results — for marijuana, amphetamine and cocaine — remained relatively unchanged compared to a year earlier. The laboratory tests 5,000 to 10,000 people each quarter, most of whom are job candidates.

WORKSHOPS OFFER SMALL BUSINESSES HELP

The Small Business Administration has scheduled two workshops in November to help business owners and entrepreneurs survive the economic slowdown by securing contracts with government agencies.

The first session is set from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Nov. 3, at Central Pacific Plaza, Suite 1110, 220 S. King St. A second session is scheduled for the morning of Nov. 18 at the Hapa Grill in Kapolei.

Call 544-5159 or e-mail ron.samiano@centralpacificbank.com to register.

APPAREL COMPANY HAS GRANTS FOR ISLANDS

Outdoor apparel company Patagonia is giving $5,000 to three Hawaii nonprofits, but is seeking help from the public to determine how the grant money should be divided.

Employees of Patagonia's Haleiwa store decided to distribute the $5,000 between Halawa Valley Land Trust, the Oahu chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and genetic engineering watchdog Hawaii Seed.

The company is accepting votes at its store through Saturday as to which nonprofit will receive $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.

The store is among 25 U.S. Patagonia stores participating in the "Voice Your Choice" campaign now in its second year. Last year, the campaign through 23 stores distributed $100,000 to environmental groups, including the North Shore Community Land Trust.