The War on Drugs in the Workplace is Over. You Lost. Here’s What to Do About It.

Let me get straight to the point.

The war on drugs and alcohol in your workplace?It’s done.

You lost.

And honestly, that’s not your fault.You followed what most companies were told to do: zero tolerance, instant dismissal, “protect the business.”

Sounded good on paper.

But in reality?

It hasn’t worked.

At all.

I know that’s a bold statement. But I stand by it.

Why? I’ve seen it up close. I’ve tested employees, trained management teams, reviewed policies, and picked up the pieces when things have gone wrong.

And I’ve built my business around helping companies, like yours, do things differently, and better.

The Old Way Doesn’t Work Anymore

For too long, businesses have treated drug and alcohol misuse as a black-and-white issue. You pass the test, you’re fine. You fail, you’re out.

But here’s the truth: substance misuse doesn’t work like that.It’s complex. It’s personal. And in many cases, it’s preventable IF you catch it early and handle it properly.

The traditional approach just scares people into silence.Nobody wants to admit they’re struggling. Nobody wants to ask for help. So they hide it. They mask the symptoms and they keep working, sometimes under the influence, because they’re terrified of losing their job.

That’s not keeping your workplace safe. That’s just keeping the problem hidden.

You’re Paying for It Whether You See It or Not

Now, speaking from firsthand experience at this, I know a lot of companies still think they’re immune. “It’s not a problem here.” “We’d know if something was going on.”

Would you? Honestly?

Because it’s not just about illegal substances.It’s about alcohol after a rough night, prescription meds being misused and mental health struggles masked with quick fixes just to name a few of the issues that I have faced.

What happens when it’s not addressed properly, it costs you and often in ways that go far beyond someone turning up drunk to work.

• Staff turnover skyrockets when employees don’t feel safe or supported.

• Tribunals and legal risks creep in when your policies are inconsistent or poorly enforced.

• Team morale drops when people see their colleagues punished instead of helped.

• Reputation takes a hit if word gets out that your workplace doesn’t handle these issues well.

Doing nothing isn’t neutral, it’s dangerous, for your people and your business.

Smart Testing: A Better Way Forward

This is why our Smart Testing program was developed and why I built my business the way I did.

It is about structure, clarity, and support. It’s a modern approach to workplace drug and alcohol testing that puts people and safety first, not fear and punishment.

Here’s how it works different:

• Real, workable policies. Not generic downloads. Real-world procedures that your team can actually follow.

• Trained Staff. Because what good is a policy if no one understands it?

• Testing that is conducted fairly, professionally, and legally. With full chain of custody, proper consent, and clear results.

• Support those who fail. Because one test doesn’t define a person. Support plans, return-to-work agreements, monitoring, it all matters.

And we do it all without judgment or scare tactics.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Let me tell you a quick story, something I highlighted a while ago.

I did a breath test for a company who’ve partnered with us for ongoing support. One of their employees had admitted some time ago that alcohol had become a problem for him. Instead of sacking him on the spot, they put support in place, including regular testing.

One of his tests I conducted during his support, he failed. Not over the legal drink/drive limit, but alcohol was still in his system.

And you know what the company did?

They didn’t fire him.They didn’t humiliate him.They sent him straight to speak with his support contact.

They stuck to the plan.

He kept his job, and walked away that day with relief on his face instead of fear.

That’s how you change things. That’s how you help people.And that’s how you protect your business.

So, What Can You Do Now?

If you’ve made it this far, here’s your next moves:

1. Look at your current policy and be honest, is it actually helping, or just ticking a legal box?

2. Start talking about it and normalise these conversations at work. Silence helps no one.

3. Train your team. Awareness is your first line of defence.

4. Work with someone who knows this inside-out. That’s me and my team.

I’m not here to sell fear. I’m here to show you a smarter way to test, support, and lead.

My Final Thought on This.

You didn’t fail.You just kept following old recommendations.

Now you’ve got a chance to lead your business, and your industry, into something better. A safer, more supportive workplace where policies work, testing is fair, and support is real.

The war’s over.

Time to rebuild.