'We need solutions': Staggering data shows drug use surging in Aussie workplaces, costing businesses billions

Sky News AU

01-07-2025

Workplace drug use is on the rise and costing Australian businesses billions, according to recent research.
Substance use is growing in Australian workplaces, with one in nine people admitting to being under the influence of illicit drugs in the past 12 months.
According to Touch Biotechnology, overall substance use is higher among employees at 19 per cent than the general population at 16 per cent.
'This makes the workplace a critical, yet often overlooked, setting for early detection and support - especially in high-risk industries like construction, transport, finance, and hospitality,' the company said in a media release.
Matthew Salihi, CEO of Touch Biotechnology said drug use in a work setting often reflected what was happening in workers' private lives.
'People don't show up to work wanting to make unsafe choices - more often, they're dealing with pressure, stress, or personal issues that aren't always visible,' Mr Salihi said.
'While every individual is responsible for their actions, workplaces play a role in creating environments where people feel supported to do the right thing early.'
Substance use is costing workplaces billions each year through absenteeism, safety incidents, poor decision-making, and rising mental health issues, according to Drug and Alcohol Research Connections.
Data from Touch Biotechnology revealed mental health plays a pivotal role in drug use and job performance.
Illicit drug use is almost three times higher among workers with high psychological distress at 32 per cent, compared to those with low distress, 12.7 per cent.
Stigma within the workplace often means people keep to themselves and refuse to seek help in fear of losing their job, Touch Biotechnology said.
As a result, the company aims to support early and discrete intervention, offering portable, non-invasive saliva and urine test kits for onsite or at-home use.
Mr Salihi said tool kits offer employees the opportunity to take a moment to pause, check in, and reclaim control without fear or embarrassment.
'It's not about catching people out. It's about giving them the chance to act before a bad day becomes a bigger problem,' he said.
The tools detect up to six substances within minutes, with a detection window up to 72-hours for saliva and 30-days for urine.
They are designed for privacy while supporting health and safety, without sacrificing dignity or trust in the workplace.
'Our drug screening tools are made for real workplaces - on site, in offices, or out in the field,' Mr Salihi added.
'Unlike traditional testing that disrupts daily operations, self-testing is quick, discreet, and empowers early action.
'When testing is embedded in a culture of care, that's when you see real change.'