Drug and Alcohol testing service finds drug testing to be “most effective deterrent” in the workplace

Post By: Dawn Smillie

Randox Drug and Alcohol Testing Services have recently stated that random drug testing is most valuable in deterring the use of drugs in the workplace.

Figures were taken from UK government statistics which showed that the introduction of random drug testing reduced the number of positive tests by over 75 per cent.

The UK has recently been dubbed the ‘addiction capital’ of Europe after it was reported by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) that drinks and drug abuse costs the UK £36 billion a year.

The HSE estimated that £2 billion was lost each year in Britain due to lost working days caused by alcohol-related problems in the workplace.

With the figures above and issues such as the increase of websites which sell readily available legal highs, it is evident that actions taken by employers have to be effective and efficient.

Speaking after the European Workplace Drug Testing Society Conference in Vienna, Randox Testing Services operations manager Gary McCutcheon said: “With awareness of corporate manslaughter increasing amongst employers, we expect a preventative approach to drug-abuse to become more wide-spread. Indeed, some European countries have signalled early intent to go further and widen liability outside the board of directors, to managerial level."

It was also highlighted by the managing director of ScreenSafe, Matt Taylor that ignoring employees with drug or alcohol addictions could be potentially dangerous and that an “open and honest” approach would be beneficial.

“A drug and alcohol policy should have its core issues, health, education and proper training. An overlaying supportive approach rather than a punitive one will create a more robust policy, designed to encourage people who think they may have a drug or drink problem to come forward, rather than try to hide it.”

Matt Taylor will be present at an IOSH seminar on drugs and alcohol policies in the workplace, which will be held at Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow on the 31^st of October.  More information can be found via the IOSH website.

Visit the Health & Safety Executive website for more information on drug testing in the workplace.