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Facing the Meth Crisis: Why Workplaces Must Act — and What the Law Requires

A recent RNZ investigation has highlighted the troubling growth of methamphetamine use across Aotearoa New Zealand. Once considered a fringe issue, meth is now increasingly present in our communities — and, by extension, our workplaces.

At Advance Diagnostics, we understand this challenge not just as a health and safety concern, but as a shared responsibility. Substance use can compromise decision-making, slow reaction times, and put people at risk — particularly in safety-sensitive roles. It’s not just a matter of wellbeing; it’s a matter of workplace safety.

The Issue: Meth Use and Workplace Risk

According to the RNZ report, methamphetamine is now more accessible and more affordable than ever. It is increasingly being used by people in full-time work — not just on the margins of society.

The impacts are wide-ranging: fatigue, poor coordination, impaired concentration, and unpredictable behaviour. These risks are unacceptable in high-stakes environments like construction, transport, logistics, aviation, and manufacturing — but they can occur in any sector.

The Law: Your Responsibilities Under the HSWA 2015

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, every PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) has a primary duty of care to protect the health and safety of workers and others.

Leaders and managers have additional due diligence obligations — they must:

  • Stay informed about risks that could affect the business .
  • Ensure appropriate controls and processes are in place
  • Verify that those systems are working effectively.

Having a robust, well-communicated Drug and Alcohol Management Programme (DAMP) is essential. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about care, clarity, and culture.

How Advance Diagnostics Can Help

We provide a range of tailored solutions to help your organisation meet its obligations and build a safer, more resilient workplace.

✅ Policy and Programme Review

  • We assess your existing DAMP or help you develop one from the ground up
  • We ensure alignment with current legislation, including HSWA 2015, and industry best practice

✅ Manager Awareness Training

  • We equip your leaders with the tools and confidence to:
    • Recognise the signs of impairment
    • Handle reasonable cause situations with professionalism and care
    • Understand their legal responsibilities under HSWA

✅ In-House Testing Support

✅ Third-Party Testing and Programme Management

  • Prefer to outsource testing? We can handle the entire process — from random testing to post-incident response — with full confidentiality and compliance

✅ Ongoing Advisory and Education

  • We stay with you beyond implementation, offering ongoing support, refresher training, and updates on emerging risks like medicinal cannabis and new psychoactive substances

Let’s Respond — With Confidence and Compassion

The meth crisis is real, and it’s here. But workplaces don’t have to navigate it alone. At Advance Diagnostics, we partner with employers to provide practical, evidence-based solutions that promote safety, support workers, and meet legal obligations.

📩 Talk to our team today about reviewing your drug and alcohol policy, supporting your staff, or implementing a programme that works.

Together, we can create workplaces where everyone gets home safe — every day