A recent survey of more than 13,000
Australian employees revealed that less than one third of the companies they work for have drug and alcohol policies in place. Conducted by researchers at Flinders University National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), the survey showed that the best approach to dealing with drugs and alcohol with employees in the workplace is to operate an effective drug and alcohol policy and testing regime in tandem. (Full study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy). With the increase in drug and alcohol
are dealing with money and looking after their clients’ personal affairs. To address the apparent increase in
drug use, the New Zealand Justice Forum recently called for mandatory testing of all officers of the court. This follows in the wake of the recent conviction of a Wellington lawyer on methamphetamine charges and a series of other high profile drug cases involving lawyers and police. (Full article published on
newzealandjustice.com October 17 2015). In Australia the ICE epidemic is an
ongoing batle for police, not only because of the devastating effect it’s having on the community but also the threat is poses to the safety of police who are dealing with the effects in the community. Te Australian Federal Police
Association (FPA) Chief Executive Mark Burgess, says that new figures show that some rehabilitation services report the number of users seeking help is five times greater than just 5 years ago, with a near doubling in the past year. Te FPA is pushing for changes, saying
that police are coming into contact with ICE users regularly and that current search laws are too restrictive. Te FPA is calling for more rehabilitation services—believing this is the
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best way forward, not prison. Under current law strip searches of people can currently only be carried out if the person has been arrested and charged, or if a magistrate has made an order; the FPA is seeking wider police powers on this aspect for anyone believed to be taking or concealing drugs. (Full article published on
couriermail.com.au July 26 2015). In New Zealand harmful use of
alcohol or drugs (AOD) is estimated to cost the country around $6.5 billion each year (Business and Economic Research Limited 2009). Tis includes the cost to healthcare of responding to AOD related accidents, illnesses and injuries, the cost of welfare payments for people who have become incapacitated through substance dependence and the costs to the criminal justice system of enforcing AOD- related legislation. When it comes to addressing the issue in
the workplace compared to the likes of the USA, Australia and New Zealand is still a long way behind. Tis is even though the numerous benefits of having a drug free workplace environment are well known; decreased absenteeism, beter productivity, less likely to have disciplinary issues and that doesn’t even take into account the health, safety and wellness of the employee.
testing in workplaces in Australia and New Zealand it’s predicted to soon become part of the normal hiring process for a majority of the professional service businesses. The companies that do not drug test will soon attract a different, lower caliber of employee. The overall picture is best summed up by a quote from Patrick Dixon International Business commentator “drug testing at work is the single most effective weapon we have against adult substance abuse.” ❚
Kirk Hardy is the CEO of The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA). TDDA is Austral- asia’s complete solution for all workplace drug policy, education and testing needs.
Its end-to-end services provide clients with a level of comfort in relation to creating a safer workplace together. TDDA opened its first office in 2005 with the aim of offering a specialized service to companies that were conducting workplace drug an alcohol testing, or looking to do so within their organization. In 2011, after strong demand from clients to have the same high quality service for their Trans- Tasman operations, TDDA expanded into Australia. TDDA now comprises of 40 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand with specialist on-site testing vehicles and qualified collecting and screening staff providing a truly international service.
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