“SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN INDIAN WORKPLACES: A CRITICAL LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS WITH GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES”
AUTHOR – DAMINI SHARMA* & DR. AMIT DHALL**
* LLM SCHOLAR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA
** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA
BEST CITATION – DAMINI SHARMA & DR. AMIT DHALL, “SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN INDIAN WORKPLACES: A CRITICAL LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS WITH GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES”, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (4) OF 2025, PG. 1068-1081, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
Abstract:
Substance abuse in the workplace poses significant threats to employee health, organizational productivity, and overall workplace safety. In India, the issue is addressed through a fragmented and indirect legal framework, with no single comprehensive law dedicated to managing substance use in occupational settings. This research paper critically examines the existing Indian legal provisions—including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985; the Factories Act, 1948; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; and other sectoral laws—to evaluate their effectiveness in addressing substance abuse in workplaces. Drawing comparisons with international best practices from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Scandinavian nations, the study identifies key gaps in India’s current approach, such as the lack of preventive mechanisms, insufficient rehabilitation support, and legal ambiguities regarding privacy and employer obligations. Through detailed case studies and empirical evidence, the paper highlights the disparities between corporate and small-to-medium enterprises in policy adoption and enforcement. The analysis culminates in actionable recommendations including the need for a dedicated workplace substance abuse law, integration of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), training and awareness initiatives, and public-private partnerships. By proposing a roadmap that blends global best practices with India’s socio-legal context, the paper advocates for a holistic, inclusive, and rights-based strategy to create safer and healthier work environments across all sectors.