Drug and alcohol use in Australia has been steadily increasing through the
years. There are masses of people who use and abuse drugs to escape from reality, numb the pain they struggle with, succumb to peer pressure, and a host of other reasons. In fact, the age at which kids are beginning to experiment with alcohol and drugs is at the alarming young age of 12. With the risk of addiction quite high in Australia, this has many parents and drug and alcohol professionals concerned.
There are plenty of reasons why people abuse drugs, but relationship break ups oftentimes cause a great deal of stress and heart ache that prompt such use. In fact, to combat feelings of pain, emptiness, hurt, anger, etc., many people resort to using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Though not a positive coping method, many people perceive it as a chance to numb the pain temporarily rather than face it head on. With more than half of relationships and marriages doomed to fail, the chances of one using alcohol or drugs to cope is quite high.
This is one reason why workplace drug testing ought to be mandatory for a new job. First, it will eliminate the chances of hiring one that is addicted to drugs and that fact alone will assure you higher safety ratings. Second, it may give the person applying for the job the nudge he needs to take a look at how drug use is contributing negatively to his life. Perhaps he will stop using drugs, clean up his act, and move forward seeking a job in which he can be fully present under no influence of illicit drugs.
A recent Australian survey of adolescents reported that at least 90 percent of adolescents have drunk a full glass of alcohol and at least 38 percent of Australians 14 years old and older have used an illicit drug at least once, with 15 percent using within the last year. This is exactly the reason employers ought to have drug screening before hiring an employee.
Along with drug screening, random alcohol and drug testing ought to be done throughout the year utilizing onsite drug and alcohol screenings. Finding out that an employee is using drugs can enhance safety for your company and also force that employee to take a look at the effects of his actions. You can offer several options for that employee, including substance abuse counseling, time off with no pay, termination, or whatever other measures you believe will be helpful.
It is quite easy to schedule and set up such tests and Mediscreen can certainly help you out.
For more information on how we can assist you with our onsite services, call (+61) 1300 79 70 40.
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport10/alcohol.html
