News

Singapore Airlines Pilot Fails Alcohol Breath Test

02 October, 2018

An intoxicated pilot is not someone you want flying your aircraft, period.

You’d be surprised to know that even the most reputable airlines with the most stringent of rules and regulations also deal with alcohol use among staff.

As reported by ABC Network Australia, a Singapore Airlines flight was barred from leaving Melbourne airport.

It was due to their pilot failing the random alcohol breath test.

A drunk pilot is a terrifying prospect for a passenger. Much more alarming for a company who has the pilot on staff.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Workplace Drug Testing

21 September, 2018

The practice of workplace drug testing has been in existence for many years now, but it remains a controversial issue for many businesses.

For an employer it is an obvious fact they want to know about their staff members. On the other hand, employees often claim that workplace drug testing is a violation of their right to privacy.

Using an employer’s point of view, here are the most significant pros and cons of drug testing in the workplace.

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2018 Prescription drug changes and implications for Drug and Alcohol policies

15 February, 2018

On February 1st, 2018 codeine became a prescription-only drug in Australia. This includes advertised brand names such as Panadeine, Panadeine Forte, and Nurofen Plus.

What this means is that no over the counter medications purchased in Pharmacies or Supermarkets will contain codeine or opiates. This includes painkillers and cold and flu tablets.

This may have implications for many workplace Drug and Alcohol testing policies, specifically for declared medications.

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Unmasking Alcoholics Anonymous: Is the 12-Step Program really effective?

23 January, 2017

Alcoholics Anonymous for employees therapy session For several decades, people unquestioningly believed that Alcoholics Anonymous was the solution to a drinking problem. Doctors and therapists have no qualms recommending AA to alcoholic patients, and an overwhelming majority of addiction treatment programs used the 12-step program.

But recent studies are challenging the long-held beliefs on the efficacy of AA.

If you suspect that your employees have alcohol abuse problems, you may thinking Alcoholics Anonymous for employees could be the answer. But the research into this notoriously secretive organisation have yielded some surprising results. (more…)

Five Of The Biggest Drug Scandals Of 2016

29 December, 2016

surprising drug scandals of 2016 Illegal drugs are becoming a huge bane to modern society. According to the website Drug Info nearly 15 percent of Australians are using illicit drugs.

Despite the fact that most drug users in Australia are in the age range of 21-27, there is an increase among the older age group who are using illicit drugs.

Worryingly, many teens as young as 14 years old are trying these illicit drugs out of curiosity or peer pressure.

The rise of performance enhancing drugs is also another problem that the world faces today. These unnatural performance enhancers are tainting the spirit of competition and fair-play in many sporting disciplines.

As the year ends, let us look back at the biggest illegal drug scandals of 2016.

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Should companies serve alcoholic drinks at corporate events?

17 November, 2016

serving alcoholic drinks at workplace events Companies serve alcoholic drinks at workplace events like holiday parties because they know a little buzz can make for happier employees.

But considering the country’s growing problem with alcohol addiction and young people’s “drinking to get drunk” mindset, should companies start rethinking this practice? (more…)

Call for cultural sensitivity when drug testing Indigenous workers

09 November, 2016

cultural respect for aboriginal Australians Australian drug testing companies unite to call for cultural respect in drug testing Indigenous workers.

They say that strict enforcement and punitive attitudes towards drug use management may derail efforts to improve their health and way of living. (more…)

New Drug Prevention Program Identifies Personality Traits For Addiction

07 November, 2016

predict who are at risk for addiction Researchers in Canada have discovered a link between certain personality traits in children and the tendency to develop an addiction later in life. They are now rolling out a program that targets these high risk traits for addiction before they can cause problems.

The results are heartening and the identified traits can give us clues about risky behaviours in adults we should look out for in the workplace. (more…)