Caterer and Hotelkeeper has launched a new campaign called Be Aware to highlight the worrying level of drug and alcohol misuse in the hospitality industry.

The launch of Be Aware coincides with the publication of an exclusive piece of Caterer research which reveals that nearly nine in 10 (89%) hospitality professionals feel that alcohol and drug misuse is a problem in the industry, with over a third (39%) believing it to be “widespread”. The vast majority of respondents (85%) also felt that alcohol and drug misuse was having a negative impact on the industry’s image.

Caterer and Hotelkeeper editor Mark Lewis said the new campaign was necessary to raise awareness of the “plague” of drug and alcohol dependency sweeping the industry.

Our exclusive study, based on a survey of nearly 300 hospitality professionals, also uncovered worrying trends in the way employers deal with the issue. Just 20% said their employer undertook training with managers on how to manage alcohol and drug misuse, while 70% confirmed that employees found abusing drink or drugs are dismissed.

Other findings include:

• 40% had witnessed others taking drugs at work (97% cannabis, 65% cocaine, 32% ecstasy)
• 13% had personally taken drugs at work (80% cannabis, 57% cocaine, 3% ecstasy)
• More than seven in ten had witnessed other employees misusing drugs, alcohol (or both) at work or immediately prior to work.

The findings show the industry has made little improvement since Caterer carried out its last major study of drink and drug use in the industry in 2003, when we surveyed almost 1,000 hospitality professionals and found that:

• 97% of hospitality professionals believed alcohol and drug abuse was a problem for the industry
• 59% had seen colleagues drinking to excess on duty.
• 40% had seen colleagues take illegal drugs while at work.

The 2003 study also revealed that the two most common reasons given by people who took drugs at their place of work were "to stay awake during shift" (48%) and "to help cope with stress" (also 48%).

Be Aware is being run in association with The Ark Foundation and its consultancy arm Ark for Business, which are part of industry charity Hospitality Action.

Web: www.hospitalityaction.org.uk
Tel: 0870 351 0160 or e-mail: info@hospitalityaction.org.uk

 

DRINK AND DRUGS MISUSE - LATEST NEWS

 

An interview with Ken Crosland: Dealing with drink and drugs at work

Drink and drug abuse in the industry: An addict's tale

Hospitality's image is being damaged by drink and drugs

Alcohol-related deaths most common with pub staff

Charity work can help hospitality workers

Why Hospitality Action deserves your support   

Drug addiction: Picking up the pieces - Case study of chef ‘Jon’

Ark for Business service launched to advise operators on drug and alcohol policy

Dealing with drugs and alcohol abuse in the workplace

Big names help Ark Foundation work

Hospitality sector reaches drink and drugs crisis point

 

HUMAN RESOURCES ADVICE FROM PERSONNEL TODAY MAGAZINE

 

The legal implications of testing staff for drugs or alcohol

Keeping your policy on alcohol and drugs updated

Why HR employee wellbeing policies should include alcohol awareness programmes

Spotlight on alcohol misuse

Legal Q&A: Alcohol misuse

Dealing with alcohol problems at work

 

DRINK AND DRUG ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE - FURTHER ADVICE

 

Introduction to a workplace policy

Is alcohol costing you more than money?

Key elements of a workplace substance misuse policy

The traffic light system for drinking

How to spot if one of your employees has a problem

Take part in Ark Foundation seminars. Download PDF here

Benefits of an alcohol and drug policy. Download PDF here

 

DRINK AND DRUG ABUSE - CONTACTS

 

Action on Addiction – new body combined of acclaimed treatment centre Clouds House, Action on Addiction, and the Chemical Dependency Centre, www.actiononaddiction.org.uk

Addaction - Advice on treatment for drug and alcohol dependency, www.addaction.org.uk, 0207 251 5860, info@addaction.org.uk

Addiction Help Services – advice on rehabilitation for addicts and where to get it, www.addictionhelpservices.co.uk

Addiction Today – website of the Addiction Recovery Foundation, www.addictiontoday.org

Alcoholics Anonymous – organisation that helps to rehabilitate alcoholics, www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk, national helpline 0845 769 7555

Alcohol concern – www.alcoholconcern.org.uk, 020 7264 0510, contact@alcoholconcern.org.uk

Alcohol Risk Factor – sells resources such as posters to help raise awareness and offers counselling and interviews, www.alcoholriskfactor.com, 0870 919 2390,  info@alcoholriskfactor.com

The Ark Foundation and Ark for Business, www.hospitalityaction.org.uk, 0870 351 0160, info@hospitalityaction.org.uk

Drinkaware Trust - http://www.drinkaware.co.uk, 020 7307 7450

Drugscope – useful advice and information source on drug related issues, www.drugscope.org.uk, 08707 743682

Talk to Frank – useful advice source on drug related issues, www.talktofrank.com, 0800 776600, frank@talktofrank.com

12 Step Treatment Centres - www.12steptreatmentcentres.com