A growing drug problem in Australian workplaces is prompting a shift in how businesses manage safety and wellbeing, with a new push for discreet, at-home drug testing aimed at preventing accidents before they happen.
And the broader trend is worrying. According to a recent United Nations report, Australians and New Zealanders are among the world’s highest per-capita users of cocaine and ecstasy, with cannabis use also well above the global average.
While many users are occasional, the UN warns of growing trafficking networks and drug availability across the region – raising concerns about how those substances flow into everyday settings such as the workplace.
With one in nine Australian workers admitting to being under the influence of illicit drugs while on the job, the risks to safety, productivity and mental health are mounting.
In high-risk sectors such as transport, construction and hospitality, even a momentary lapse in judgment can have deadly consequences.
“The risks are real in terms of safety, productivity and wellbeing – they are all on the line,” said Matthew Salihi, CEO of Touch Biotechnology, which is promoting a new range of portable, non-invasive self-testing kits.
Instead of relying solely on workplace drug screenings after an incident has already occurred, the initiative encourages employees to test themselves voluntarily – at home, in private – before heading into work.
“The whole concept is about self-regulation and personal responsibility,” Mr Salihi told AAP.
“It gives people a private way to check themselves before a shift, after a weekend, or during recovery. No pressure, no judgment … just a tool to help them stay in control and do the right thing before it becomes a problem.”
The tests work much the same as COVID-19 kits: simple saliva or urine samples return results within minutes, indicating whether substances including cannabis, cocaine or methamphetamines are present.
Mr Salihi said the purpose was prevention, not surveillance. It was not about judging people for what they did in their personal life – it was about making sure they turned up to work clean and safe, he said.
Drug use among workers is not just common but often tied to deeper struggles.
“For many people, it’s not about partying or coping, as such. People turn to drugs to manage the stress, exhaustion and emotional pressure,” Mr Salihi said.
“It’s often a mental health issue, to be honest. The drug use is just a symptom.”
He said self-testing offered a crucial moment for early intervention before things spiralled.
While some critics might argue self-testing reduces visibility for employers, Mr Salihi sees it differently.
“Self-testing actually empowers people … and when it’s part of a broader program with clear policies, education and support, it opens the door to more honest conversation, not less,” he said.
Drug-related absenteeism and safety incidents are costing Australian businesses more than $5 billion a year. In industries such as trucking, where stimulant use is not uncommon, the margin for error is slim.
A small mistake behind the wheel could spell disaster, Salihi said.
“That’s what we’re trying to help eliminate.”
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