About Us - Drugsafe Australia

“We had worked together for 15 years and never suspected he was a heroin addict…

Then his wife rang me with the news that he had died.”

Michael White – Founder

At Drug-Safe Workplaces we talk about ‘One person. One incident. Could Ruin Your Business Forever’ for a very good reason.

It happened to me.

I will never forget turning up for work 20 years ago and wondering where my business partner was. It was the day after the Melbourne Cup. He was usually on time.

Several hours later I discovered why he didn’t appear. He was found dead in an alley way at Kings Cross with a needle still in his arm. He had died of a heroin overdose.

I was dumbfounded. I had no idea that he had a drug addiction. We had been working together for 15 years. How was it that he had managed to keep it a secret from me?

The shock of this tragic discovery worsened when I found out that he had been fiddling the books in order to pay for his expensive habit. He had taken more than $300,000 from our account.

No matter how well you think you know someone…you don’t.

As you can well imagine after such a massive tragedy you are left wondering. Asking yourself why you couldn’t have done something to prevent it.

That was when I became committed to a greater cause.

I asked myself, how many other business owners out there are going through the same situation? That have valued workers and friends with secret lifestyles who could self destruct or hurt those around them? Who could ultimately ruin other enterprises?

Drug Safe Planning

I spent two years researching drugs and the impact they have on people and in 2000 I created Drug-Safe Australia. I began visiting work sites and found that almost no-one had thought about the potential risk of people using illicit drugs and alcohol at work.

I built up a team around me and we passionately helped employers across the nation to identify and minimise workplace risks.

I have lost count of the number of lives we have ‘rescued’ as a result of our labours.

We are committed to the Power OF One. One person at a time, one business at a time, we are bringing positive change to peoples’ lives.

Michael White
Founder & CEO

We understand that we’re all different.

For almost 20 years we’ve provided Australian businesses with practical and cost effective advice and know that there is no “one size fits all”.

We were the first on-site testing company to introduce mobile clinics. We were the first to be accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). We were the first to provide total solutions for businesses across all industries in Australia.

We like to look at the big picture.

implementation of a Drugsafe programme
Our Drug-Safe Team has learnt there is no quick fix but approaches complex problems with comprehensive solutions including pre-employment, blanket and random testing including results analysis, policy development, educational workshops, certified training programs, and on-site and/or in-house screening.

We’re proud of our role as industry leaders and eager to share our knowledge with Australian businesses.

Our team works hard to create an environment where Community leaders, management, staff and unions can feel comfortable with the development and implementation of a Drug-Safe programme.

Company Values

We Strive For Excellence in all we do.
We seek to find and nurture the integrity within a community and demonstrate how to create a safe environment in which to work, play and live.
We are committed to best practice standards in all our endeavours and enthusiastic about Continuous Improvement
To recognise limitations and to seek opportunities for further development through best practice and innovation
We Recognise The Importance Of Our People and
our Communities.
We believe in team spirit through good leadership, training and skill development and recognition for efforts and achievement.
Demonstrate Responsibility and Accountability
To set an example, to take ownership of each situation to the best of our ability and to seek assistance when needed.
Committed To Confidentiality
With regard to all of our clients and their employees and in all of our commercial dealings.
Value-To-Others Attitude
To show respect and consideration in all our interaction with others.

Radio Interview with Ross Greenwood

This recent conversation with Drug-Safe founder and director Michael White was recorded on Ross Greenwood’s business programme on the Macquarie Network.