Representatives from Support Testing Awareness Help (STAH) were recently in the region undertaking drug and alcohol tests for businesses.

STAH write drug and alcohol workplace policy, undertake a testing regime, and provide education units and mental health support services through a specialised program.

According to drug and alcohol business management company Screening on Site 5% of employees in Australia admit to working under the influence of either drugs or alcohol at some point in their career.

It’s estimated that drugs and alcohol cost Australian workplaces around $5.2b a year.

STAH director Mario McDonagh said companies contracted the service to make sure they are maintaining a safe work environment.

“You can have a policy, that’s great but unless you have a testing regime the company is liable because how can they prove they have maintained that safe work environment?” he questioned.

“If something goes wrong under the work health and safety act they can be held liable for not showing on the grounds of what’s reasonable to provide that safer work environment.

“The policy means nothing unless you act on it which means enforcing a regime.

“Basically, our goal is to help educate people to do the right thing in the workplace and not put themselves or anyone else at risk.”

Mr McDonagh said they would ideally like to have a regular presence such as a contractor in the region working under their banner.

“There’s a lot of industries that could utilise our services,” he said.

“We are trying to wake organisations up to take control of their business and their profits.

“They’re basically risking everything is something goes wrong, and if drugs are the problem, they can be held liable.

“We are just trying to do what we can to better the community and stop drugs ripping the fabric of our society apart, especially in regional areas.”