Drugs and alcohol in your Tasmania workplace

Published

In a recent issue of the quarterly Workplace Issues Magazine, WorkSafe Tasmania has shed light on just how serious of the issue of alcohol and drugs in the workplace and the community in general is.

According to the article, “Alcohol and other drug use is a serious and complex problem. It contributes to thousands of deaths, substantial illness, disease and injury, social and family disruption, workplace concerns, violence, crime and community safety issues.”

Specifically in the workplace, the costs of alcohol and drug use in Tasmania can be high. Areas impacted include:

  • Safety
  • Productivity
  • Absenteeism
  • Incident costs
  • Morale

The article states that alcohol use in Australia alone is estimated to contribute to 5% of all workplace fatalities, $3.5 billion in lost productivity costs a year and absenteeism costs that range from around $450 million to $1.2 billion.

“The combination of alcohol and other drugs (excluding tobacco) in the financial year 2004–05 accounted for approximately $5.2 billion in lost productivity costs.”

What can Tasmanian workplaces do to curb issues relating to drugs and alcohol?

As stated in the article, the good news is that there is much that Tasmanian workplaces can do to curb the damage done by drugs and alcohol. In fact, workplaces are in a unique position to address issues, as they can expose employees to health promotion and other strategies that their employees would otherwise not have the advantage of experiencing.

Ways that workplaces can prevent and reduce issues of drugs and alcohol use include:

  • Developing and implementing a drug and alcohol policy.
  • Providing education and training for employees.
  • Providing counselling, support and treatment for employees who are experiencing issues relating to drugs and alcohol.
  • Workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Integrity Sampling’s drug and alcohol services in Tasmania

Integrity Sampling has two branches across Tasmania, including Hobart and Launceston. We can help with many aspects of drug and alcohol management, including developing a drug and alcohol policy for your workplace, providing education and conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Drugs and alcohol can be a major issue in Tasmanian workplaces, but there is much you can to combat the problem.

 

By Michael

Michael is the founder of Integrity Sampling and is responsible for overseeing all national operations. He is based at Integrity Sampling's head office in Melbourne and is also responsible for the co-ordination of drug and alcohol testing within Victoria, assisting in the implementation of drug and alcohol (fit for work) policies and the presentation of drug and alcohol education and awareness programs. You can connect with Michael Wheeldon on LinkedIn

Leave a comment