Determination of absence of drug dependence: procedures to follow and role of the surveillance body

The assessment of presence or absence of substance addiction in subjects working in activities potentially harmful for themselves or others, is indeed an important issue and a compulsory activity. Nevertheless, according to Italian laws (outlined in the agreement on the ascertainment of the absence of drug addiction, executed in the session of October 30th 2007), only occupational company doctors are in charge of such a duty. This professional figure should instead be mainly aimed to protect worker's health. Furthermore, private workers, even in settings or jobs at risk (e.g. bus drivers) are automatically excluded from such a verification. In this case, third parties (e.g. bus passengers) are protected by the law only when the worker is employed in a company. The new procedures, recently promulgated by central and regional governments, increase the burden of occupational company doctors, and introduce restrictions for workers of particular activities, in the case of a positive laboratory result for prohibited substances.