Many organisations now have policies on drug and alcohol testing; particularly organisations involved in safety critical industries such as transport, logistics or engineering. Lapses of concentration where employee or public safety is at risk can potentially be fatal. However, having a policy on its own only identifies the problem, it doesn’t necessarily solve it. Employers who offer assistance through access to treatment are also encouraging employees with problems to come forward. Organisations with a zero tolerance approach to substance misuse will simply drive the problem underground.
