Dealing with drugs – part I: the employer’s escalating burden

While reducing numbers of HM Customs and Excise Officers guard our ports and airfields, and undermanned and overworked police struggle to keep our streets and school‐yards clear of drugs, who is tackling the increasing problem in the workplace? If the employer is notdoing it – then the straight answer is: “nobody!” But it is drug addiction (including alcoholism) which is costing British businesses billions in rising absenteeism, increasing injuries,escalating damage to, and stealing of, company and employee property,plus a general deterioration in responsible staff attitudes. The first step is for the employer actually to recognize the problem, and the second is to acknowledge that the only way it will be handled is if it is tackled by the organization itself. The next step is easier –put a stop to further escalation. This, the first of two articles,indicates how this may be achieved.