Last updated : December 23, 2024
In the wake of Colorado’s decision to legalize marijuana in 2012, many experts anticipated a general increase in drug use among the public at large. In response to this threat, employers have implemented a variety of policies to help promote a drug free workplace and safeguard against dangerous, irresponsible, and unprofessional employee behavior. The Denver Post confirmed the tendency toward tougher company drug policies in 2013, quoting the results of a Mountain States Employers Council survey that found approximately 20 percent of employers implemented more stringent drug-testing procedures in the wake of passage of marijuana legalization Amendment 64. This figure becomes even more significant when compared with the paltry 2 percent of employers who lessened their drug testing policies during the same time.
The problem of workplace drug abuse
Employers screen for drug use for a variety of reasons, including safety, productivity, and reliability. It’s important to realize that the problem may be farther-reaching than you think. DrugAbuse.com quotes a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) study that found 68.9 percent of all American drug users are actively employed in the workforce.
The problems associated with hiring substance abusers are many, but some include:
- Increased rate of workplace accidents.
- A lack of productivity and generally poor work performance.
- The tendency to arrive at work late or not at all.
- A increased filing rate for workers compensation claims and special benefits.
Going hand in hand with this last issue is perhaps the most terrifying statistic of all—as reported by the same organization, a full 10-20 percent of American workers who die while on the job ultimately test positive in posthumous drug and alcohol assessments.
Which industries have highest rates of employee drug use?
A US Occupational Safety and Health Administration report that highlighted a particularly troubling correlation. Contrary to common sense, the most dangerous occupations, such as mining, construction, and transportation/trucking also tend to have the highest rates of employee drug use. The potential reasons for this phenomenon are both varied and abundant. The high levels of stress that are commonly associated with dangerous jobs seem to be as likely a culprit as any. But, no matter what the reason, there is little doubt that certain occupations tend to present more problems than others when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse.
Using information that was complied by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in both 2008 and 2012, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) compiled a report to help update the policies and programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The results of the CBHSQ Report were quite startling. Among the general population, an average of 8.7 percent of full-time adult workers used alcohol heavily in the past month, 8.6 percent used illicit drugs in the past month, and 9.5 percent abused or were dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year.
In certain industries, such as accommodations/food services and arts/entertainment, rates of drug and alcohol use were more than double those of the general workplace population. The following, far more dangerous industries also ranked among the top occupational drug use offenders:
- Mining—The mining industry has the highest rates of alcohol abuse among full-time workers aged 18 to 64. A full 17.5 percent of miners reported engaging in heavy alcohol consumption over the past month. In addition, 5 percent of mining professionals reported recent illicit drug use.
- Construction—Second only to miners when it comes to recent heavy alcohol use, 16.5 percent of construction works reported binge drinking over the past month. The construction industry tops mining when it comes to drug use with 11.6 percent of workers admitting to taking an illicit substance during the same time frame.
- Manufacturing—While not all factory floors are inherently more dangerous than mining or construction, some can present even more safety issues and hazardous conditions. Rates of recent drug consumption in the manufacturing industry stand at 7.4 percent while rates of heavy alcohol consumption stand at 9.7 percent.
- Transportation/trucking—When combined with their fellow workers in the warehousing industry, truckers and other transportation workers rank 11th within the American workforce when it comes to recent heavy alcohol consumption (with an 8.8 percent rate of reported use). The industry ranks 14th in recent illicit drug consumption (with a 7.4 percent rate of reported use).
But shockingly, the problem isn’t isolated to the workplace or even the usual suspects, as the National Council on Seniors Drug and Alcohol Rehab (Rehabnet.com) reports. This organization, which was created to educate and provide assistance to seniors struggling with addiction as well as caregivers and family members with concerns reports that a growing number of seniors are becoming addicted to opiates.
Drug testing and educational programs can combat these issues
In these industries, as well as others less affected, employers are turning to drug testing programs (also known as drug free workplace programs) to identify substance abusers and get them the help that they need. In today’s day and age, even smaller businesses are finding that they simply cannot afford the human resources costs that unchecked substance abuse causes.
As reported by DrugAbuse.com, drug testing and educational programs come with a number of proven benefits including…
- Heightened company morale
- Fewer workplace accidents
- Reduced employee theft
- Less employee turnover
- Increased productivity
For all of these reasons, drug testing and education can save employers thousands if not millions of dollars depending on the size of the company, while simultaneously promoting a safer and healthier working environment for employees and management alike.
