Drug strategy
National workplace initiative
The use and misuse of drugs and alcohol, whether experimental, recreational or dependent use, may affect an individual's ability to do their job effectively.
It is important that all businesses are aware of the potential impact of drink and drugs to their bottom line, and have in place an effective and robust workplace policy that clearly outlines a company's rules and procedures for dealing with substance misuse.
Business training
Across the country we have a dedicated team of experienced trainers connected to drug action teams, who carry out most of the practical policy work with companies, and are the cornerstone of local delivery.
They tend to be employed locally by the DAT/CDRP, Job Centre or be independents under contract, or come from substance misuse agencies. To contact your nearest business trainer contact your local Drug Action Team and ask to speak to the workplace business trainer.
- Train company staff in drug and alcohol issues
- Advise and review drug and alcohol policies
- Assess and advise individual employees for treatment
- Advise companies how to promote sensible drinking
At a national level, a proactive Steering group oversees the problems of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, with members that include:
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Federation of Small Business (new window) (FSB), Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
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British Chambers of Commerce (new window) (BCC) and Drug Action Teams across the country
The Benefits of a Workplace Policy
Tackling substance misuse in the workplace can be a daunting and often complex process. One way of overcoming this is to have a robust drug and alcohol workplace policy that clearly outlines your company's rules and procedures for dealing with substance misuse and offers advice on where and how your employee should seek treatment.
- Ability to recognise when an employee has an alcohol or drug problem, and gives a clear definition of both employee and employer responsibilities
- Provides a greater awareness of the effects of drugs and alcohol
- Helps businesses deal fairly with any problems and procedures can be put in place should a problem arise
- Gives a clear understanding of a company's rules on drugs and alcohol
- Trained managers or key staff gain the skills to deal with problems when they arise
- A culture is created whereby employees are willing to acknowledge that they, or a colleague have a problem.
- A service that both protects employees and protects the business
Further Help & Information
If one of your employees has a drug or alcohol related problem, you might find the numbers listed below useful. These services and resources can help you manage the situation, offer support and signpost your employee to the right sort of help. All services are completely confidential.
FRANK is a national helpline that offers free confidential help and information about drugs 24 hours a day. Contact FRANK by calling 0800 77 66 00 or online at:
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www.talktofrank.com (new window) Drinkline provides free and confidential help on any aspect of drinking. Tel: 0800 917 8282 (Monday-Thursday, 9am-11pm, Saturday and Sunday, 24 hours).
Release is a confidential helpline offering help on drug use and legal issues. Tel: 020 7729 9904 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm).
DrugScope aims to advise on policy development and reduce drug-related risk. Tel: 020 7928 1211 or visit:
Adfam provides support to people working with family members who are affected by drugs and alcohol.
Email: admin@adfam.org.uk, Tel: 020 7928 8898 or visit:
Alcohol Concern helps to tackle alcohol problems at a local level, while also working to influence national alcohol policy. Tel: 020 928 7377 or visit:
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) 21-47 High Street Feltham Middlesex TW13 4UN Tel: 020 8917 8400 Email: info@ukas.com or visit:
A laboratory accredited by UKAS will have satisfied assessors that it meets all criteria for providing drug screening test results.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) Head Office Brandon House 180 Borough High Street London SE1 1LW Helpline: 08457 47 47 47 or visit:
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www.acas.org.uk (new window) Provides help on good employment practice including procedures to deal with drug misuse.
TACADE Old Exchange Building St Ann ' Passage Manchester M2 6AF Tel: 0161 836 6850 Fax: 0161 836 6859 Email: info@tacade.co.uk or visit:
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www.tacade.com (new window) Provides help, resources, training, consultation and research on alcohol and drugs.
Kent DAAT have produced resources to advise and support employers. A copy of the workplace poster is available to download here (new window), and further copies and information can be obtained by contacting Sally Duncan (sally.duncan@kent.gov.uk).
