We need to address drug and alcohol use is gaining attention among employers as evidence emerges on the correlates between substance use and poor productivity, risks to health and safety, absenteeism, and work related criminal activity. In addition to the estimated ‘costs’, employers are mindful of the negative impact on their businesses reputation, if they are assumed unsympathetic in addressing substance use within the work place.

Despite the importance of health and safety, and the positive outcomes associated with tackling drug and alcohol use, the work place offers both an appropriate and opportunistic environment in which substance misuse can be effectively managed.   

 Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training Programmes 

The awareness programmes comprise a series of training modules, offered at all levels (basic/introductory; advanced; expert). The modules have a number of units addressing specific topics, and depending on the training need can be delivered in the form of seminars (e.g. 2 hour session); workshops (e.g. half day), or 1, 3, or 5 day courses.  All training programmes can be delivered off site at one of our London based training venues, or onsite within your own organisation.

Business Assistance Training Modules	Associated Units
Drug and Alcohol Use Awareness	Attitudes Key drugs and their effects Drugs and the Law Prescribed medication Indicators of misuse Overview of interventions and services available for dealing with drug and alcohol problems
Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace	Screening Assessment Risk Assessment Confidentiality Drug testing in the work place First aid Dealing with incidents Management of someone ‘under the influence’ in the work environment
Drug and Alcohol Use Policy Development	Essentials of a drug and alcohol policy Legal, practical and ethical considerations Procedures How to get everyone on board Implementation Evaluation/Impact Staff support and training

Research and Evaluation Services  

Needs Assessment 

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to secure the health (including mental health), safety and welfare of employees whilst at work. Equally, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to assess the risk of stress-related ill health arising from work activities and to take measures to control the identified risk.  DAES can undertake specific research and evaluation projects for businesses, providing companies with summary data which profiles employees health and well being in such areas as work related stress, job satisfaction, reasons for absenteeism, the need for services addressing drug and alcohol use (including tobacco) among employees etc.  

The outcome of these studies can be employed in the development of specific Employee Assistant Programmes, as a benchmark measuring the ‘health and well being temperature of a company’, and to guide the content of training and induction programmes for employees and their supervisors. 

Service evaluation

We are able to evaluate the extent to which drug and alcohol services offered to affected employees are meeting the needs of the organisation and its employees. This exercise may involve the determination of cost benefits; employee satisfaction; change in productivity and performance, etc.

Drug and Alcohol Policy Development    

We work with you to develop a policy which helps you to fulfill your legal duty of care to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of your employees and ultimately protecting your business.

 Some of the benefits of having a policy:  

·        Provision of a clear understanding of your organisation’s rules and regulations on drugs and alcohol  
·        Productive working environment
·        Prevention of unnecessary expenses  
·        Raising awareness
·        Protection of business and employees
·        Clarity of responsibilities  
·        Effective incident management  
·        Provision of information about assistance and support available   Some of the challenges of not having a policy: 

·        Health and safety risks  
·        High risk behaviour  
·        Accident to employees or their colleagues  
·        Reduced business productivity, performance and profit  
·        Disciplinary costs  
Occupational Health/Employee Assistance Programme  

When an employee has a drug or alcohol issue performance in the workplace is likely to be affected. Sickness and absence can increase, while concentration and efficiency may decrease. Employee Assistance Programmes are recognised as a valuable employee benefit with good return on investment. We offer employee assistance services to organisations to help manage problems associated with drugs, alcohol and mental health. Our multidisciplinary team of professionals can offer a needs-led response to these problems by providing a model of EAP and delivery that will meet their specific objectives, including  

·         Alcohol and drug screening
·         Brief intervention for alcohol and drug use and mental health
·         Comprehensive assessment and care plan
·         Psychological interventions
·         Evaluation of intervention outcome
·         Occupational stress profiling
·         Stress management