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Jason Thomas Week 4 Individual Assignment Workplace substance abuse May 2010 PSY-425 Dr. Maria Cuddy-Casey In Studies it had shown that cocaine use often replaces marijuana use. The past 5 years has seen an increase in prescription narcotics such as vicoden, oxycoden and other pain relievers. Alcohol far exceeds other addictions that effect day to day operations in many companies. It causes absenteeism, tardiness, high medical care cost and loss of production. Statistics from several studies shows the current problem with substance abuse as it relates to workplace productivity. Seventy percent of illegal drug users are employed. 1 in every 7 workers from the ages of 18 to 34 use drugs on the job. Workplace ATOD issues cost US companies more than 100 billion each year and each individual companies account for it being at minimum 2.5 % of the payroll per calendar year. Drug addicts normally account for 300% more in medical care costs than the average employee which raises health care cost for the employer and employee. Drug users are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim than those whom do not use drugs. Drug use in the workplace can also cause drug dealers to pop up in the workplace. Workers whom were surveyed stated that nearly a third of them know of fellow employees whom use drugs and 10% have been offered drugs at work. Drug users in the workplace have 3.6 times more accidents than other employees and are nine times more likely to have incidents involving violence away from work. Although drug abuse is a major factor affecting productivity in many companies, alcohol abuse is another contributing factor is lost revenue and higher health care costs. Although both abuse culture have an impact on work related cost, alcoholism is thought to be the main issue in many industrial companies across America. A study by the Employee Assistance Society of North America concluded that 40% of industrial injuries are a result of alcohol abuse and 47% of injuries are attributed to alcoholism as well. The study also showed that those whom tested positive during a drug screen with marijuana had 55% more on-the-job- accidents resulting in injury. Those testing positive for cocaine in drug screen tests also had a 145% increase in absenteeism and 85% increase in drug related injuries of the clock. The study has also shown the problem is that not only with outside employee or workers but in management levels as well. Managers were more often having a least one drink on the job. This large increase in percentages could be from work related stress from the position that is held. When a certain group is inclined to drink on the job and this group has far larger percentages of personal doing so the common denominator is the stress level. Twenty-three percent of upper level mangers and 11% of lower level managers have reported that he or she had a drink during the work day. This is compared to only 8% of normal ground level employees. The burden that society bares with alcohol and drug abuse is estimated to be between 200 and 400 billion per year. This amount is costs that are associated with local treatment programs, research and prevention programs, health related programs to help find cure and treat illnesses associated with drugs or alcohol, crime, motor vehicle accidents, reduced productivity and unemployment. When the relation of substance abuse is addressed within a company and a comprehensive plan is established to help employees it is said to be a “win-win” situation for both the company and the employee. A study by the department of labor has shown that comprehensive plans are effective and help control issues related to alcohol or drug abuse. A study of the economic impact of substance abuse treatment in Ohio found significant improvements in job-related performance: a 91 percent decrease in absenteeism an 88 percent decrease in problems with supervisors a 93 percent decrease in mistakes in work a 97 percent decrease in on-the-job injuries. In conclusion, Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace has a significant effect on day-to-day operations. Studies are conducts throughout the year determining the effectiveness of programs related to abuse and the organizations and the amount of lost revenue associated with abusers. Injury and accidental death is on a rise within the United States and the largest contributing factor is alcohol or drugs. Each minute that is wasted because of tardiness or absenteeism becomes lost revenue that will affect the gross profit of many companies. References: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/work/a/aa990120.htm http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/substanceabuse/index.html http://alcoholism.about.com/od/work/Workplace_Substance_Abuse.htm http://www.dol.gov/elaws/asp/drugfree/benefits.htm http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/prevent/workplace/ http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/testing.html