Drug Control Program

An intoxicant/drug control program is regulated by the Occupational Health Care Act. According to the Act an employer has to prepare a written intoxicant/drug control program, if it intends to perform drug control tests to applicants or employees. It is advisable to deal with alcohol and medicine misuse also in the program.

The intoxicant/drug control program may be prepared as a part of the action plan for the occupational health care [Action Plan for Occupational Health Care].

The intoxicant/ drug control program should set out general targets of the working place relating to the intoxicants and ways of action to prevent intoxicant use and to guidance to treatment.

It is advisable that the intoxicant/drug program is prepared together with service providers of the occupational health care.

In connection with the preparation of the program the restrictions of The Act on the Protection of Privacy in Working Life relating to performance of drug control tests should be paid attention to.

The drug control program must be discussed in the dialogue provided for in the Co-operation Act. The dialogue must cover those jobs where the job applicant or employee is either obliged to provide or can provide a drug test certificate to the employer on the basis of his/her consent. In undertakings and public-law entities other than those covered by the Co-operation Act, the employer must, before taking a decision, give employees or their representatives the opportunity to be heard on the job-specific criteria for drug testing.