Drug use has increased substantially across the UK in the last decade, with the COVID-19 pandemic having accelerated the problem of both drink and drug driving across the country; deaths and casualties from drink and drug have increased accordingly.
Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs has reached the highest level since 2011, with a 16% year on year rise recorded between January and September 2020 which has been backed up by recent statistics showing that 23% of the public either began to use or increased their use of prescription or illegal drugs and alcohol during the lockdowns.
In response to this growing crisis, TTC Group, has joined forces with D.tec International Limited, the global leader in police roadside driver drug screening equipment, to host a free-to-attend webinar for employers on best practice around drink and drug screening in the workplace, to be held on May 10th.
“With a 22% rise in deaths from alcohol misuse in the UK in 2021, and a reported increase in cannabis use of 44% over the same timeframe, it is naïve for businesses to assume that they are immune to this increasing problem among the population,” commented Andy Wheeler, Head of Technical Delivery at TTC Group.
“It is vital that employees are educated on the dangers of substance abuse, and that employers fulfil their duty of care in ensuring that employees are fit to perform at work, whether in the office or behind the wheel. By partnering with D. tec International our interactive webinar, aims to shine a light on this growing issue for employers who may not yet have focussed on it and encourage best practice sharing around substance screening in the workplace,” He added.
A free-to attend one-hour online seminar, held on Tuesday 10th May, ‘Drug Driving: The Growing Problem and How to protect Your Business” will form an introduction to the topic for employers looking to ensure their duty of care in protecting employees. Those wishing to attend can sign up for free here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/drug-driving-the-growing-problem-how-to-protect-your-business-registration-317620721127
