Drugs and alcohol education and awareness

Providing education to management and employees about drugs and alcohol is an essential component of any robust drug and alcohol management program.

Integrity Sampling’s experienced and knowledgeable consultants can help develop and present education to your employees, contractors and other stakeholders. This education should include regular reminders of your drug and alcohol policies and procedures, as well as general information about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

An effective education program will include:

• Information regarding health and safety implications of the misuse of drugs and alcohol.
• Information illustrating the prevalence of drugs and alcohol in the workplace and in society.
• Provide details of your drugs and alcohol policy, including any testing you carry out and consequences for failing or refusing testing.

Educating your workforce will enable your employees to make informed decisions about drugs and alcohol, helping to ensure they come to work in a safe and fit condition. Education will also help remove misconceptions regarding your policy, procedure and testing program, therefore ensuring greater acceptance of the program among your employees and a smoother workplace implementation.

Educating employees about the issues of drugs and alcohol in the workplace is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work environment. If you’re going to develop your own education for employees, contractors and other stakeholders, here’s a rundown on the types of things you should cover.

1. Clearly explain your company's policies regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace. Employees should understand what is expected of them, including any consequences for policy violations.
2. Many employees don’t understand the potential legal implications they may face if they come to work under the influence, particularly if their actions result in an accident. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility and its important employees understand this and know about their duty of care.
3. Provide general health information on drug and alcohol abuse. This can include addiction risks, long-term health consequences and the impact on overall well-being.
4. Explain how drug and alcohol use can affect job performance, including decreased productivity, absenteeism and increased accidents.
5. Emphasise the safety risks of being impaired in the workplace. Discuss how substance abuse can lead to accidents and injuries, not only for the impaired individual but also for co-workers.
6. Educate employees on the steps they should take if they suspect a co-worker may be under the influence.
7. Encourage employees to be open about substance abuse issues and initiate talks with their supervisor. Assure them that any discussions will be kept confidential and they needn’t fear consequences.
8. Provide information on available resources for employees who may be struggling with substance abuse. This can include on-site employee assistance programs as well as support that is available outside of the workplace.
9. If your workplace conducts drug testing and alcohol testing, provide details about the testing. Inform people when and why such tests may be conducted and what the process entails. Also, clearly explain your workplace’s consequences for failing testing or refusing testing, as detailed in your policies.
10. Regularly update employees on policies, laws and best practices related to drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Ensure they stay informed about any changes that may affect them.

Remember that ongoing education and communication are key to addressing issues of drugs and alcohol in the workplace effectively. Regularly revisit and update your educational programs to ensure they remain relevant and impactful.