- "In December 2021, the UK government estimated that the costs associated with illegal drug use were £20 billion per year. Drug-related crime [including crime in the workplace] makes up approximately 48% of total costs. Most of the latter (86%), arise from the hundreds of thousands of people who use opiates and crack cocaine across England" [1]. And this is why British-based, Drug Testing Kits UK, provide the most accurate, highest quality, CE approved, workplace drug testing kits which screen for multiple drugs including opiates and crack cocaine
Did You Know?
"In the year ending June 2022, 9.2% of 16–59-year-olds in England and Wales reported having taken drugs at least once within the past year, with 2.7% having taken Class A drugs. These proportions are higher for younger adults, with 18.6% of 16–24-year-olds reporting having taken drugs within the past year, and 4.7% reporting having taken Class A drugs" [1].
As the Health Science Advisor, and the CX team at Drug Testing Kits UK, are well aware, this is a serious concern for many companies, organisations, and institutions across the regions we serve, namely, the length and breath of the UK and Southern Ireland. Moreover, the illegal drug abuse situation is rapidly becoming even more of a dilemma for those who take on fresh university graduates.
If you are an employer, you should know that according to the last National Audit Office:
"The government estimated that around three million people in England and Wales take illegal drugs at a cost to society of approximately £20 billion a year" [1]
Protecting Your Company/Organisation From Staff Who Abuse Drugs
As Drug Testing Kits UK CX Department, knows all too well, confronting the issues brought about by illicit drugs, is highly complex. The solution necessitates:
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Providing effective treatment and recovery services to help addicts [many of whom are employees]
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Disbanding the criminal gangs that distribute and supply illegal drugs across the UK
As Drug Testing Kits UK provides countless companies, organisations, educational and medical establishments, and institutions with cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, legally approved, multiple drug (and alcohol tests); and regularly publishes freely available guidance blog articles (which are read by thousands of the aforementioned), we are also very mindful of one of the aspects brought up by the Audit Office. - Namely, substance misuse treatment, and recovery programs.
This most recent report entitled, "Reducing the Harm From Illegal Drugs," involved engaging with local government bodies, and pinpointing a range of challenges that stand in the way of achieving this goal. These incorporate:
"Workforce gaps: there are staff shortages in the treatment and recovery sector, with shortfalls of medical professionals such as clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. It will take time to rebuild the capacity and expertise needed to achieve benefits, such as reducing caseloads, and provide tailored, expert support"
Moreover: "annual spending on adult drug and alcohol treatment decreased by 40% (£340million) in real terms between 2014-15 and 2021-22. Of the 150 unitary authorities in England, 140 have reduced funding for substance misuse treatment during this period. Forty-two of these areas saw a fall of 50% or more" [1]. Clearly, all the aforementioned are causing many companies serious problems in terms of (often a small percentage of their employees):
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Who can regularly get hold of a broad spectrum of illicit drugs
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And in the case of some staff who have had positive results showing on their workplace drug tests, and want to turn over a new leaf, and regain optimum health: the lack of government/NHS support for these users is bewildering. - The current state of affairs is totally unacceptable, especially considering how much tax companies pay each and every year. In general, this wilful neglect has resulted in:
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The amalgamation and closure of a number of recovery and treatment service organisations
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An overall reduction in the quality of service provided to drug addicts
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A fall in the total number of adults and youngsters on a treatment program
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De-professionalisation of the workforce responsible for administering treatment (with gaps across a spectrum of roles and skills)
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Variation in the outcomes of treatment across England, with the North of the country experiencing worse outcomes when compared to the South-East and London [1]
Where Can We Refer Employees To, If They Need Help?
Drug testing Kit UK's Health Service Advisor, recommends the following free organisations for any employees who need help with their addiction, along with help for their families who want to support them). Of note: the organisation,' Help Frank,' has useful legal information for employers.
Addiction NI
10-20 Lombard Street Belfast BT1 1RD
Counselling, Support And Information Service (People Affected By Drugs/Alcohol Use)
Adfam: which provides information and support for the families of drug and alcohol users.
Telephone 020 3817 9410
Adfam
Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.
Telephone: 020 7403 0888, (10am to 10pm daily)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a self help group that supports abstinence from alcohol by following a 12 step recovery treatment program.
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Telephone: 0800 9177 650
DAN 24/7
Drug and alcohol addiction helpline for people in Wales.
Telephone: 0808 808 2234
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous is for anyone with any kind of drug issue who wants to stop using.
Telephone:
Talk to Frank
Talk to Frank provides everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law.
Telephone: 0300 123 6600
Scottish Families Affected by Drugs & Alcohol
SFAD offers support to family members and friends who have been impacted by the substance use of a relative or loved one.
Telephone: 08080 101011
Reference
[1]. Home Office (2023). "Reducing the harm from illegal drugs." National Audit Office.https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/reducing-the-harm-from-illegal-drugs.pdf
