Drug-Free Schools and Communities - Impact on Employers

The economic and human costs of drug and alcohol use are astounding.  In fact, the National Institutes of Health recently reported that alcohol and drug abuse cost the economy $246 billion in 1992, the Most recent year for which economic data are available.  In addition, numerous studies, reports and surveys suggest that substance abuse is having a profoundly negative affect on the workplace in terms of decreased productivity and increased accidents, absenteeism, turnover, and medical costs.

Following are statistics that highlight the impact of substance abuse on the workplace:

1. In 1990, problems resulting form the use of alcohol and other drugs cost American businesses an estimated $81.6 billion in lost productivity; 86% of these combined costs were attributed to drinking.
2. Full-time workers age 18-49 who reported current illicit drug use were more likely than those reporting no current illicit drug use to state that they had worked for three or more employers in the past year.
3. Drug-using employees are 2.2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to have absences of eight days or more, and three times more likely to be late for work.
4. Employees who tested positive on their pre-employment drug test were 77 percent more likely to be discharged within the first three years of employment. 
5. 75 percent of callers to the national cocaine helpline reported using drugs on the job, 64 percent admitted that drugs adversely affected their job performance, and 44 percent sold drugs to other employees.
6. Alcoholism causes 500 million lost workdays each year.

Common Signs of Drug Misuse

1. Changes in attendance at work or school.
2. Change from normal capabilities (work habits, efficiency, etc.).
3. Poor physical appearance, including inattention to dress and personal hygiene.
4. Wearing sunglasses constantly at inappropriate times (indoors or at night, for instance) not only to hide dilated or constricted pupils, but also to compensate for the eye's inability to adjust to sunlight. Marijuana causes blood shot eyes.
5. Unusual effort made to cover arms in order to hide needle marks.
6. Association with known drug users.
7. Stealing items which can readily be sold for cash (to support a drug habit).

If you have comments or questions, please contact the the FSAP at 687-2409.