Drug Czar Keith Hellawell is urging employers to examine procedures for dealing with drugs misuse in the workplace.

In a keynote speech at the Bradford and District Safety and Welfare Association Conference, hosted at Bradford University yesterday, he warned a packed audience that such a move would ensure a better work environment for staff and customers.

Mr Hellawell, the country's anti-drugs co-ordinator, said at the Drug and Work conference that he was not trying to create a "litigious culture", but he added that when people injured themselves at the workplace questions could be asked of organisations about how they addressed drugs misuse at work.

"If someone slips off a roof and is found to have a drink problem, companies may be asked by lawyers if they were aware of an employee's problem or what drug testing measures are in place," said Mr Hellawell.

He told the audience, which included members of Bradford Council, police and business representatives, that it would ultimately increase "productivity at work" and a reduction in absences.

"Drug misuse affects all our lives. As part of its strategy for tackling the problem of drug misuse, the Government urges all businesses in consultation with their employees to develop an agreed policy on misuse.

"Decisions on whether a workplace policy should also include the introduction of random drug testing are for individual employers to make, but they must first have the agreement of their employees."

He added that such policy would take years to perfect.

l In August, Low Moor chemical company Ciba Speciality Chemicals announced it is to start drug testing its staff next year.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.