Drug and alcohol use in the workplace is covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 . Drugs and alcohol use in the workplace creates a range of problems. Employees with drug and alcohol problems can cause injury to themselves and others and damage their physical and mental health. You are faced with lateness and absenteeism, lost time and production from accidents and inefficiency and damage to plant, equipment and other property. The workplace is an ideal place to run an effective drugs and alcohol prevention program because of the support provided by other employees.
Employees have a better chance of recovery from drug and alcohol problems if they are still working.
Remember you are not an expert. For example, an employee smelling of alcohol may not be an appropriate justification for formal or informal intervention by you. Documentation of formal intervention, how and when it is advised and the nominated responsibilities of employees are important aspects of drug and alcohol intervention. These programs provide comprehensive advice and assistance in relation to drug and alcohol problems in the workplace. This is an extract from the DIR publication Best Employment Practice .