Substance use policies and practices in the workplace are at a relatively early stage, and research and information in this area is limited. There are many areas where improved knowledge and understanding could be beneficial for various stakeholders, particularly employers and employees.

Given these facts, the objectives of this study were:
• To review, analyze and provide a general overview of the state of workplace policies on substance use in Canada, their common components and unique elements, and any gaps;
• To identify lessons learned and best practices in developing and implementing workplace substance use policies from the experiences of safety-sensitive organizations; and
• To determine which policy areas require more guidance, tools and resources, and from this information make recommendations to help improve policy development and employer responses to substance use affecting the workplace.

This study is the first of its kind to explore the state of Canadian substance use policies in the workplace. It is primarily intended for employers and human resources professionals interested in developing or improving workplace policies and best practices related to substance use, and secondarily for other professionals working with organizations (e.g., medical professionals, SAPs/SAEs, lawyers, etc.).