SafeWork South Australia report finds 5000 safety workers high on drugs on the job

A new report has revealed the shocking extent of South Australia’s ice problem, showing close to 5000 workers employed in safety-sensitive industries are turning up to work under the influence of methamphetamines.

Statistics showed that in 2017, 2.2 percent of workers tested positive for methamphetamines in industries including construction, mining, agriculture and transport.

That number of increased from 1.8 percent in 2016.

The figures, compiled by SafeWork, also show South Australia’s ice statistics were higher than the national average in 2017.

Across the nation, 1.9 percent of workers in safety-sensitive industries tested positive to the drug.

The data was released by Business SA as part of its launch of a discussion paper aimed at tackling the epidemic.

READ MORE: Horror stories from Murray Bridge, the town gripped by ice

Business SA Senior Policy Adviser Estha van der Linden said the figures were a wake-up call for businesses which did not have drug policies.

“People who take methamphetamines feel the effect for up to 48 hours, meaning they may not know they are still under the influence,” Ms van der Linden said.

“If they are under the influence they would be putting themselves and their colleagues at risk. They may also be unpredictable, have mood swings and be at risk of psychotic episodes.” 

It comes after a report released in April revealed Adelaide was the official 'ice capital' of Australia.

About one in ten people in Adelaide took one dose of methylamphetamine, commonly known as 'ice', each day last October, the figures have showed.

The report released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission revealed the illicit drug is being detected more in wastewater treatment plants in Adelaide than any other capital city.