Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2011
Source: Marlborough Express (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2011 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.marlboroughexpress.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1139
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

STICKS AND THE STONED

Workers sacked for smoking cannabis before work might start to 
question the right of fellow employees to take mind-altering drugs 
without question, the only difference being that those drugs are 
prescribed by medical professionals.

According to figures released by Pharmac, nearly 10 per cent of New 
Zealanders took medication for mental illness last year, including a 
growing numbers on anti-psychotics.

One report said 1.2 million anti-depressant prescriptions were issued 
for nearly 400,000 individual users. Pharmac says the number of 
people using anti-psychotics has grown from 64,500 in 2007 to more 
than 80,000 last year.

Some mental health advocates are suggesting these drugs are 
prescribed too readily and after too little consultation.

The intent of the drugs is to help the patient overcome a mental 
health problem and function better in the world, such as someone with 
mild depression being able to get through a full day of work.

It raises the question, though, about the point at which the worker 
should tell their boss they are taking what can be quite powerful medications.

Unfortunately, some employers might not take the news well and it is 
easy to see how the worker would be reluctant to be open about their situation.

The difference to cannabis users is that these people are taking 
medication intended to help them through a problem.

Some workers have taken their employer to court for being sacked 
after taking cannabis, a drug that is sometimes prescribed for 
medical reasons but which is classed as illegal in New Zealand.

Many companies rightly ban their workers from taking this Class C 
controlled substance, not because it is illegal but because it 
affects their ability to do their job and increases the risk to other 
workers. In industries with hazards such as sharp objects, heavy 
machinery and driving, there is no question that cannabis should be 
excluded from the mix.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom