Drug use in the workplace is on the rise, according to a new federal study.

The Workforce Management magazine article reports on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study that finds that "of the nation's estimated 16.4 million substance abusers, about 15 million are working full-time jobs." This study occurred between 2002 and 2004 and had a sample of 128,000 people.

The study points to a direct correlation between high job turnover and absenteeism among substance users. "More than 12 percent of full-time workers who abuse illegal substances reported working for three or more employers during the past year, compared with 5 percent for non-abusers."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), industries with high occupational injuries — construction, mining, manufacturing and wholesale (the study does not specify which wholesaling industries) — likewise have the highest rates of drug use. Between 10 and 20 percent of the nation's workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs.

What can employers do to find out if this is happening at their business? Random drug tests help but don't eliminate the problem. "About one-third of respondents said they would avoid working for companies that did drug testing," according to the article.

OSHA provides a 5-step plan to help employers combat drug abuse through (1) a policy; (2) supervisor training; (3) employee education; (4) employee assistance; and (5) drug testing.

To get more advice on how to maintain a drug-free work environment visit the Free Management Library.

--Cassandra P. Foster
cfoster@safnow.org

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