As we’ve highlighted before in our blogs, if you’re caught out by drug testing in your workplace you may only face counselling and even receive support. However, in some cases you may lose your job.
This was the case in an historical incident involving a Victorian paramedic. He tested positive during workplace drug testing for a cocktail of drugs. Because of the nature of his work, the paramedic’s registration was immediately suspended and soon after his employment with Ambulance Victoria was terminated.
The workplace drug testing incident occurred in 2020 and has drawn media attention recently because the paramedic was trying to have his registration suspension lifted.
Workplace drug testing reveals cocktail of drugs
The story started in June 2020 when Ambulance Victoria paramedic Michael Graham underwent drug and alcohol testing in his workplace. The testing revealed a cocktail of drugs in the paramedic’s system, including methamphetamines, cannabis and codeine.
Frighteningly, the workplace drug testing was carried out after the paramedic had driven an ambulance at least once in his shift. Therefore, he had been behind the wheel and treated patients with the drugs in his system.
In a recent tribunal hearing to try and lift his suspension, Mr Graham admitted he had used drugs on and off during his life, including in the years leading up to his workplace drug testing fail. He added that he regularly used methamphetamines and cannabis during his days off.
Since the workplace drug testing positive Mr Graham has received treatment for drug addiction. His General Practitioner stated in a letter to the tribunal that he hasn’t used methamphetamines or cannabis since soon after the positive test. His doctor supported Mr Graham’s suspension being lifted.
However, the tribunal decided to continue Mr Graham’s suspension for a further 12 months.
Tribunal senior member John Billings said, “We regard Mr Graham’s conduct as very serious, for he exposed patients, colleagues and members of the public to grave risk of harm.
“Mr Graham’s use of illicit substances was detected on one day in 2020 but, for however precisely long his conduct went on before that day, he used those substances over a considerable period of time, and in substantial quantities, which increased the risk of serious harm to other persons.”
Mr Graham will be able to apply again for registration in June 2025. If successful, he will be subjected to random drug testing and continued treatment with a psychologist.
Workplace drug testing consequences
The paramedic is certainly lucky that nobody was injured while he was under the influence of drugs in his workplace. If that had happened, the consequences for him could have been significant. However, he could also consider himself unlucky.
While the consequences for most workers failing a workplace drug testing for the first time can vary depending on the company’s drug and alcohol policy, typically they’re not severe. Generally, workers may face disciplinary actions such as a formal warning, mandatory counseling or rehabilitation programs.
There are some workplaces where a person who fails workplace drug testing could possibly face suspension from work. Then there are the minority of cases, in safety-sensitive industries and roles like mining, transportation and aviation (and the paramedic and ambulance industry) where the worker might be immediately suspended or terminated due to strict zero-tolerance policies.
There’s a good message in this blog for all employees to be aware of their company’s specific drug and alcohol policies and to always follow them. If you don’t, you risk failing workplace drug testing and facing the consequences.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
A paramedic who failed workplace drug testing over four years ago is still fighting to get his job back. Credit Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-red-shirt-driving-car-ejWJ3a92FEs
SECONDARY IMAGE CAPTION:
Credit Ambulance Victoria Facebook Page.
