Tools for Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention at Work
Information and support for preparing a substance abuse programme and tips on what members of an organisation can do to prevent substance abuse in the workplace.
This article contains a selection of tools for substance abuse prevention and intervention at work. Employers are required by law to prevent factors that may compromise the health or safety of employees. Substance abuse and dependencies can cause occupational safety risks in the workplace, limit the ability to work by increasing the risks of illnesses, economic disadvantages, such as absences due to illness, reduced work ability and social harm.
Workplaces are encouraged to adopt the early intervention model, which is introduced to new employees in orientation and outlined in the organisation’s substance abuse programme. Building a safe atmosphere that supports open conversation is the key as it makes it easier to bring up different issues and promotes well-being at work.
Workplace substance abuse programme
The substance abuse programme is a joint agreement of the workplace that helps to ensure that the workplace is healthy and safe for every employee. The programme supports the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and dependence problems. It introduces employees to their obligation to prevent and intervene in harmful substance abuse at work. The substance abuse programme is part of occupational safety and health as well as the development and management of well-being at work.
The substance abuse programme covers tobacco and nicotine products, alcohol, narcotics or drugs and other intoxicating substances. Another goal of the programme is to prevent the harm caused by gambling.
The substance abuse programme is prepared in cooperation between the employer and the employees or their representatives. The employer is responsible for making employees aware of the programme. The programme can be included in the occupational health care action plan or the occupational safety and health action plan. The substance abuse programme is mandatory when the employer intends to carry out drug tests for jobseekers or employees (Section 11 of the Occupational Healthcare Act), but it is useful in every workplace.
Organisations can prepare a substance abuse programme using the free tool provided by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Instructions for substance abuse prevention and intervention at work
Every employee contributes to the culture of how things are done in the workplace. The below instructions are adapted from the guide of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health titled Työpaikan päihdeohjelman rakentaminen (Building a substance abuse programme at work, available in Finnish), which also provides guidance for preparing a substance abuse programme. The similar material in English by the Centre for Occupational Safety is called Substance abuse and its effects in working life.
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Employer
Identify substance abuse risks
- Comply with the duty to exercise care in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
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Monitor the reports on workplace surveys.
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Examine statistics provided by the occupational healthcare provider.
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Identify and analyse the risks and needs affecting ability to work as well as accidents at work and safety observations.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Encourage the employees to promote a drug-free workplace and a healthy lifestyle.
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Ensure that all employees are aware of the substance abuse programme.
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Make sure that prevention of substance abuse is included in risk management.
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Ensure that supervisors organise one-to-one meetings.
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Provide training to supervisors on the practices of early support.
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Organise regular training events on the substance abuse programme.
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Ensure smooth cooperation with occupational healthcare provider.
What to do if problems arise
- Plan mutual collaboration actions for handling a situation where an employee is intoxicated at work.
- Ensure that it is possible to seek treatment.
- Arrange systematic monitoring of treatment in cooperation with the occupational healthcare provider.
- Organise support for returning to work.
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Occupational safety manager
Identify substance abuse risks
- Record and analyse accidents and near misses at work.
- Help supervisors analyse the data.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Participate in the preparation of the substance abuse programme and the planning and organisation of training in substance abuse prevention and intervention.
- Ensure that substance abuse matters are regularly on the agenda of the occupational safety committee.
- Support supervisors in the promotion of a drug-free work culture.
What to do if problems arise
- Provide support and guidance to the employer and supervisors.
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Supervisor
Identify substance abuse risks
- Monitor and assess the employees’ ability to work and well-being at work.
- Identify risks that compromise the ability to work, such as hazards and causes of stress.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Discuss the matters that prevent or maintain substance use with the employees.
- Ensure thorough orientation which includes discussions about substance abuse and gambling.
- Bring up substance abuse in one-to-one meetings too.
- Encourage employees to bring up issues and concerns early.
- Instruct employees to make safety observations.
- Expand your knowledge to help you identify harms and give you the courage to bring up substance abuse. In a difficult situation, reach out to others in the organisation, such as the HR manager.
- Encourage employees to undergo training.
What to do if problems arise
- If an employee is intoxicated in the workplace, follow the organisation’s operating procedure.
- If you are concerned about substance abuse, bring it up in a confidential and goal-oriented discussion. Describe the changes that you have observed in the work. Document the discussion.
- Go through the role of occupational healthcare in substance abuse matters with the employee again.
- Refer the employee to the occupational healthcare provider, conduct an occupational health negotiation, if necessary, and arrange a follow-up meeting.
- Provide support to the employees for reviewing any acute incidents.
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Occupational safety representative
Identify substance abuse risks
- Bring up hazards and causes of stress at work.
- Make observations and reports on the harmful effects of substance abuse and gambling.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Include the prevention of substance abuse in the workplace in the occupational safety and health action plan.
- Work together (with supervisors, occupational healthcare provider) to prevent and eliminate harms caused by substance abuse.
- Participate in the planning of substance abuse prevention training.
- Inform and educate the employees on substance abuse.
- Take stock of the situation in the workplace and monitor it.
- Learn to recognise the signs of substance abuse and bring them up.
What to do if problems arise
- If asked, provide support to an employee.
- Support the employee as they return to work.
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Employee
Identify substance abuse risks
- Bring up hazards and harms of substance abuse that have occurred in the workplace.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Familiarise yourself with the substance abuse programme and the responsibilities and processes laid down in it.
- Identify hazards and risks related to substance abuse at work.
- Follow occupational safety instructions.
- Commit to a drug-free work culture and understand the harms caused by substance abuse to yourself and the work community.
- Engage in constructive collaboration in the workplace and treat others with respect.
- Get training in substance abuse management.
- Bring up any concerns you may have.
- Support your co-workers in different situations.
What to do if problems arise
- Seek help if you feel that you have problems with substance abuse or gambling.
- Do not hesitate to bring up your concerns if you suspect or notice that a colleague has a substance abuse or gambling problem.
- If someone is intoxicated at work, make sure they cannot hurt themselves or others.
- Report the situation immediately to a supervisor or according to the agreed procedure for reporting incidents.
- Support a co-worker returning from treatment and treat them as an equal.
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Occupational healthcare provider
Identify substance abuse risks
- Conduct a workplace survey.
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Compile a summary of health checks.
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Prepare statistics on absences due to illness.
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Collect information on risks and statistics related to incapacity to work.
Adopt a proactive attitude
- Provide advice and guidance.
- Provide information about the effects of substance abuse and behavioural addictions on health.
- If necessary, have a mini-intervention discussion.
- Support the implementation of the work ability support model.
- Participate in the planning of substance abuse prevention training.
- Participate in organising training in raising the issue.
- Develop the substance abuse programme together with the occupational safety committee.
What to do if problems arise
- Provide expert support to supervisors and employees.
- Assess the need for treatment and the impact of substance dependence on the ability to work in an occupational health negotiation.
- Take care of rehabilitation, referral to treatment, follow-ups and return to work.
- Collect information about the substance abuse situation in the workplace and provide feedback on it annually.
Sources
EHYT Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention. (Accessed 6.12.2024, available in Finnish). Päihteet ja työelämä.
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. (Accessed 23.11.2024). Substance Abuse Programme Tool.
Centre for Occupational Safety. (Accessed 23.11.2024). Substance abuse programme.
Centre for Occupational Safety. (Accessed 23.11.2024, available in Finnish). Päihdeohjelman rakentaminen.