Keeping work free of drugs (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Keeping work free of drugs

A SWINDON firm has become a world leader in supplying firms with advice on staff drug and alcohol problems.

Nemesis Scientific Limited, which has offices in Swindon and in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, says it is now the leading independent firm working in this field in the UK and 15 other countries.

The company is only two years old, but now has 12 full-time staff and 116 part-time employees

It has been awarded the coveted BS EN ISO9001:2000 accreditation and has recently achieved a £1m turnover.

The firm helps multi-national companies,including those in shipping and manufacturing, as well as airlines and the rail industry, by writing drug and alcohol policies for them, as well as running employee awareness training and even collecting and carrying out analysis of drug and alcohol samples from staff.

It also provides a complete rehabilitation and care programme for staff who need it.

The firm works with customers to design and implement a legally-defensible substance misuse policy, while also ensuring the rights of staff are respected.

Nemesis sales director and owner Simon Cady said: "Drug and alcohol misuse is a major problem in today's society and therefore a serious consideration for every workplace and its employees.

"Even though it all starts with the policy, the effective training and education of a workforce is imperative for a company to develop a drug and alcohol-free workplace."

A vital part of Nemesis' service are its experienced psychotherapists and counsellors who are based at the company's purpose-built Sisemen Centre in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where it provides rehabilitation for their clients' staff.

Senior psychotherapist Anne Maria Slater said: "All companies should have a clear policy on employee assistance, which supports staff and provides the necessary care programmes to deal with these delicate issues."

The company's sales office is based in the University of Bath in Swindon's Innovation Centre.

The university's Innovation Centre offers new businesses services including mentoring and appraisal, networking opportunities, office facilities and a full IT package. To find out more, visit the firm's website at: www.nemesis-scientific.co.uk.