Substance Abuse: A Common
and Difficult Workplace Problem
A recent study by the US Health and Human Services Department
found that one in 12 full-time US workers ages 18 to 64 acknowledged using
illegal drugs in the past month. The highest rates were among restaurant
workers, 17.4%, and construction workers, 15.1%. Other relatively high usage
was found in these occupations: sales (9.6%), installation, maintenance
and repair (9.5%), and transportation and material handling (8.4%).
Abuse of substances, both legal and illegal, is a serious workplace problem
that affects injuries, absenteeism and productivity. Testing programs for
drug and alcohol use can be an effective way to identify problems; yet employers
need to be cognizant of the many legal issues surrounding both the test
and the use of the results.
There are barriers on both sides of the issue, making it difficult to address
the problem. Employees often do not acknowledge they have a problem; employers
may suspect, but have no real evidence, that there is a problem.
The Hazelden Foundation, a national, nonprofit foundation created in 1949
to address substance addiction, offers the following suggestions to help
managers address addiction in the workplace:
• Educate – Inform and discuss the company’s policies
regarding alcohol and drug abuse
• Document – Keep a record of the employee’s work performance
– good and bad. In this way you will be able to document any change.
• Warn – Have an informal talk to alert the employee about his
or her unsatisfactory job performance, communicate your expectations and
discuss the consequences. Do not discuss drug and alcohol abuse
specifically. Keep the conversation on job performance issues.
• Refer – Contact the company’s designated person, such
as an employee assistance program representative or a medical professional
for advice and guidance.
• Follow up – Provide the appropriate support. |