A business has presented addiction treatment charity Caron Bermuda with $1,500 raised for the organisation over Cup Match.Air Care Limited celebrated its partnership with the group by collecting donations at a free meal for patrons.Management initiated the drug testing and counselling programme with Caron last year, in recognition that addiction is a disease — and those with alcohol and drug problems shouldn’t be penalised, explained business development and sales manager Craig Stevenson.“Initially, in early 2012, we decided to recognise that we can’t afford to have anyone in an industrial environment who may not be fully in charge,” Mr Stevenson said.The company introduced random drug testing, with Caron Bermuda offering treatment to members of staff grappling with problems.Automatically firing staff members because of a health issue wasn’t an option, Mr Stevenson said.“From our perspective, all employees have value. It’s wrong to penalise unless each and every avenue has been exhausted.”Mr Stevenson said the company recognised the need for education about addiction at its management and ownership level.“It’s a disease, not a choice,” he said.Recognising the importance of addressing addiction in the workplace, Air Care eventually opted to team with Caron Bermuda.Said regional vice president Gita Blakeney Saltus: “That was an extraordinary opportunity, for Caron to be able to be in the room and give staff the opportunity to talk openly, and be given an invitation to confidentially address issues that they may be facing.“That invitation was extended to employees, and also their families. We look at addiction as a family disease.”The local branch of the organisation has access to comprehensive treatment centres overseas, she added.The service is confidential, but proved valuable to a number of staff at the company.As a result, when Air Care gave a charity barbecue for its patrons on July 27, the company decided to show its appreciation.Air Care teamed with Gorham’s Limited, which donated a gas grill for auction.Bruce Barritt of John Barritt and Son gave beverages free of charge, as Air Care handed out free food cooked by a chef from MEF group.“Not many people expected to be offered hot dogs and hamburgers and then be told it was complimentary,” Mr Stevenson said. “All we asked was for them to take a leaflet about Caron.”Many chose to pay for their free meal with a donation to the group.The event raised $1,000, to which Air Care added $500 toward Caron Bermuda’s activities.“We look to this as the first of many,” Mr Stevenson added. “We see this as a long-term partnership.”