Problems relating to alcohol and drugs may arise as a consequence of personal, family or social factors, or from certain work situations, or from a combination of these elements. Such problems not only have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of workers, but may also cause many work-related problems including a deterioration in job performance. Given that there are multiple causes of alcohol- and drug-related problems, there are consequently multiple approaches to prevention, assistance, treatment and rehabilitation.While the elimination of substance abuse is a highly desirable goal, experience has shown the difficulty of achieving this. However, workplace policies to assist individuals with alcohol- and drug-related problems, including the use of illegal drugs, would seem to yield the most constructive results for workers and employers alike.It was for this reason that the Governing Body of the ILO decided at its 259th Session (March 1994) to convene a meeting of experts in Geneva from 23 to 31 January 1995, to consider a draft code of practice on the management of alcohol- and drug related problems at the workplace.