Substance Abuse Free Employee Policy

The Substance Abuse Free Employee policy (S.A.F.E) was launched last week by Aġenzija Sedqa. This policy is aimedto raise awareness at the workplace of the dangers of drug, alcohol, gambling and technology abuse. It also supports employers as they recognise staff who may have a problem and encourage employees to seek help.

S.A.F.E. programme focuses on raising awareness on substance abuse at the workplace and is delivered by the Prevention Services. It comprises four different phases which include exhibitions and dissemination of informative material, training sessions with middle and senior management, informative sessions with employees and the formulation of the Substance Abuse and Gambling Policy.

The Policy, also addressess other addictions such as gambling, at the workplace sets out a company’s policy and procedures, including education, training and eventual referral, for helping with drug, alcohol or gambling-related problems. 

The GRTU together with representatives from the Malta Employers Association and the unions representing employees agreed that the addiction or abuse issues should be addressed in the same way as all other generally-accepted health issues. Such a policy will be encouraging and supporting all employees who have a drug, alcohol or gambling problem to seek help so that their work performance is not affected.Philip Fenech, GRTU, Deputy President, emphasized that SMEs find it very difficult to cope as their resources  are very limited. The long term absence of an employee with specialized competences  or tasks would be of a far greater effect on the business.

Moreover, the Agency is also focusing on promoting the concept of skills-based workshops where participants have the opportunity to discuss case studies based on real situations that they meet at the workplace.​​ Sessions are designed according to the needs of the company requesting the programme and the industry it operates in.

The Hon.Dr Michael Farrugia, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Mr Joseph Gerada, Chairman of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, Mr Alfred Grixti, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, Dr Ronald Agius and Mr Jesmond Schembri, Operations Director for Aġenzija addressed those present.