Abuse can occur by using a substance too much, too often, for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time, or at the wrong place. The economic impacts of substance abuse in Canada to businesses or industry have been traditionally difficult to measure. As such, costs to a business may be both direct and indirect. While there may be commonalities in the occupations of people who abuse substances, the fact that a job has certain characteristics does not mean that the employee will begin to use substances. Various and numerous personal and social factors can play a major role.
Work can be an important place to address substance abuse issues.
Employers and employees can collaborate to design policies which outline what is an acceptable code of behaviour and what is not. Workplaces are encouraged to establish a procedure or policy so that help can be provided in a professional and consistent manner. It is important for supervisors and managers to have a resource or procedure that they can rely on if the need arises. Employees need to know that everyone will be treated the same way. Pre-planning, as for many other occupational health and safety issues, is the best way to avoid confusion and frustration in times that are already difficult.