Alcohol & Other Drug Policy / Procedure Development or Advice

A technically correct Alcohol & Other Drug Policy & Procedure (or sometimes called a Fit For Work policy) is the foundation to any successful Drug Testing Program and Drug & Alcohol Management Program (DAMP).

A successful Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP) requires strategic implementation into your workplace, so it become the culture, rather than another procedure which is implemented and quickly forgotten.

Your Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) Policy & Procedure should comprise a range of strategies including employee education & awareness training, manager / supervisor training, documented processes for breaches of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy or Procedure, an employee assistance program (EAP) and alcohol and other drugs testing.

Whilst a one or two page Policy is ideal, a similar sized Procedure will not address all required components.

The Policy and Procedure must be practical and workable in a real environment. This is often an issue when such documents are prepared by lawyers or persons inexperienced with a Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP).

A "patchwork" Policy & Procedure made up of several templates from the internet or previous workplaces will rarely be workable in your specific workplace.

Does the Policy or Procedure refer to the correct Australian Standards, WHS Laws or other Legislation relevant to your industry?

Is there a clear and defined alcohol and other drug testing procedure in place?

Is there consistency of approach? Does the testing method match the intention of the Procedure?

Are there any ambiguities or "grey areas" regarding what constitutes a breach of policy?

Some common mistakes we have seen in Alcohol and Other Drug Policies and Procedures

Use of terms such as “under the influence” or “impairment”. These issues are very difficult, if not impossible, to prove and should not determine a breach of policy or even a general approach to compliance.

Failure to adequately define terms used in the Procedure. Absence of a “definitions” section results in ambiguity which leads to “loopholes”.

Inconsistency. For example, combining urine drug testing and oral fluid / saliva drug testing in the same procedure when one tests for recent exposure the other tests for historical use.

Failure to document the actual testing procedure. For example all testing to be conducted with a nominated independent testing agency with procedures compliant to Australian Standards.

Omitting guidelines to manage either prescribed or over the counter medication. These can be managed effectively and satisfactorily with guidelines making up a few paragraphs.

Need help?

Our expert team have reviewed and written hundreds of Alcohol & Other Drug Policies and Procedures. We can complete a full review of your current Policy & Procedure or if required a completely new Policy & Procedure.

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Relevant Drug Testing Solutions - Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy Procedure