Employees should be drug tested to root out a culture of substance abuse plaguing workforces, campaigners told a public conference yesterday.

About 80 percent of Bermuda's chemically dependent people have jobs, according to Chris Backeberg of testing agency Benedict Associates.

Mr. Backeberg said he was "floored" that more firms do not automatically drug test people, and said that their failure to take action was losing them cash through non-productivity.

"For every one dollar spent on drug free policies in the workplace, they are saving seven dollars," he told the National Drug Control conference's second day audience at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

He urged businesses to follow the example of food distribution company Butterfield and Vallis, which has increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and improved morale among staff since adopting a drugs free approach seven years ago.

Boss Jim Butterfield was presented with a plaque at the conference, in recognition of his company's efforts with drug users.

Mr. Butterfield's workers are tested once a year, with counselling provided to those who fail. He says the system has helped at least eight people turn their lives around.

Anyone who fails three drug tests is considered to be refusing to change their lifestyle, and has their employment terminated. This has happened to about six employees.

"There's very few companies that have an active policy," said Mr. Butterfield. "Some put posters on the wall and it stops there. We test people. The majority are quite happy with it. I had a few people who said: 'What took you so long?'"

Asked what his message would be to other companies, he said: "Get on board. You are helping people. You are creating an environment that's safer.

"It costs $75 per employee, but you get that money back through greater efficiency at work." He added that employees most likely to oppose drug testing were the ones most likely to have drug problems.

Yesterday's conference also heard from Michael Otey, family education coordinator of Caron Foundation in the US, who claimed Bermuda needed outside help from his own group.

"There's some serious problems on this Island," said Mr. Otey. "People are dying every day and we are trying to figure out who we let help them. This is a small place, which means you have got to start fighting fast.

"If you don't do something today, you are part of the problem." Criticising the fact only about 40 people attended yesterday's morning session, he said: "Look at this room. These chairs are two thirds empty. There's nobody here. And there were less people here than this yesterday.

"People are dying, families are losing their fortunes and their futures, and we are busy shopping. If you got somebody with this problem, why the hell didn't you bring them with you?"