WORKPLACE DRUG TESTING
FACTS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
FACTS:
- The
federal government estimates that 71% of illegal drug users are
employed.
- Absenteeism
rates are 66% higher among drug users than non-drug users.
- Health
benefits utilization is 300 percent higher among drug users than
nonusers.
- A
recent study showed that on average, a drug user costs the employer
$7,000 annually.
- 47
percent of workplace accidents are drug related.
- Discipline
actions are 90% higher among drug users than nonusers.
- 52%
of drug users who test positive for drugs are daily users.
- 35%
of workers have seen or heard of on-the-job-drug use by their
coworkers.
- 40%
of industrial fatalities and 47% of injuries are related to alcohol
use.
- The
US accounts for approximately 5% of the world’s population,
yet consumes 60% of the world’s cocaine
- A
1996 study by the federal government (SAMHSA)
shows the following:
Prevalence
and Trends
by Occupation and Industry Codes (1991 -1993)
|
Occupations
|
%
Current
Illicit
Drug Use
|
Occupations
|
%
Current
Heavy
Drinkers
|
| Construction |
17.3
|
Construction |
20.3
|
| Food
Preparation |
16.3
|
Helpers
& Laborers |
19.5
|
| Waiter
& Waitresses |
15.4
|
Auto
Mechanics |
16.3
|
| Helpers
& Laborers |
13.1
|
Food
Preparation |
16.3
|
| Writers,
Designers, Artists & Athletes |
13.1
|
Truck
Driver, Light Vehicle & Mechanics & Repairers |
14.9
|
| Dental
& Health Aides |
2.8
|
Bookkeepers |
1.7
|
| Child
Care Workers |
2.6
|
Bank
Tellers |
1.5
|
| Teachers |
2.3
|
Secretaries
& Typists |
1.4
|
| Administrative
Support |
2.2
|
Personnel
& Training Specialists |
1.1
|
| Police
& Detectives |
1.0
|
Data
Clerks |
0.8
|
|
