Last updated : December 16, 2024
Drug abuse trends have become a more prevalent facet of the workplace in the past decade. Drugs are much easier to obtain in the present era than they were two decades ago, and due to this, the common employee could obtain illegal substances with great ease. However, if the owner of a company wants to run his or her business smoothly with little conflict, it is essential to hire employees who do not consume recreational drugs. Employees who abuse drugs often have a poor work ethic and could potentially steal money from the company to feed a substance addiction. Although all employees should be treated with respect, an employee who abuses illegal drugs should not be allowed to continue his or her work with the business. There are many commonly abused substances by workers today, with the majority of drug abusers consuming an excess of marijuana, alcohol and stimulants.
In order to maintain a drug free workplace, it is of the utmost necessity to have knowledge of the substance abuse trends in today’s workforce. Marijuana abuse has consistently been on the rise in the United States for years and shows no signs of decline. This illegal substance is a common favorite of young adults who believe that it is a harmless recreational activity. However, possession of this drug is not permitted in the United States, except in the instance of usage for medical purposes. Keeping a workplace clean of illegal activity is the first step to business success, and workers who abuse marijuana on a regular basis do not respect the law. People who do not have a proper respect of federal law do not belong in the workplace, as they could easily become thieves or treat customers with disrespect.
Another threat to the ideal of a drug free workplace is excessive alcohol use. People who are dependent on alcohol can sometimes be even more dangerous to the workplace than those who abuse illegal substances. Alcoholics often do not know when to stop drinking and can even show up to work inebriated and unable to fulfill their duties. These incidents have become increasingly more commonplace across the country, and if a business is to be well-respected, it is essential that the manager or owner hire a person who does not have alcoholic tendencies. A few of the telltale signs of an irresponsible drinker are the smell of his or her breath, the person’s conversation topics with coworkers, and his or her inability to complete tasks quickly. Alcohol abuse is on the rise in the United States, and it does not only impact unemployed people. Employers should attempt to hire workers who drink alcohol responsibly.
Although the two substances mentioned above are the most frequently abused by workers, there are several other more dangerous drugs that are being abused. Employees often abuse prescription drugs, especially stimulants such as amphetamines. Some signs of amphetamine abuse include twitching, being unable to stay in one place for long, and dilation of the pupils. Those who abuse stimulants can often develop a dangerous addiction that can even harm their place of work. If the owner or manager of a company wishes to remain vigilant in only hiring substance free workers, it is essential to have knowledge concerning the dangers of stimulant abuse.
Drug abuse in the workplace is on the rise, and for the owners and managers of these companies, frustration and even crime can occur as a result. Implementing drug testing for each prospective employee will help to cut down the number of workers who abuse substances on a regular basis. If a workplace free of substance abusers is desired, then drug testing is a necessity.
