HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Why should I care about drug abuse in the workplace? Because your coworker may be drunk, high, or hungover.
Statistical information from the American Council for Drug Education reveals that:
- More than 70 percent of substance abusers are employed
- 1 worker in 4, ages 18 to 34, have used drugs in the past year
- Americans consume 60 percent of the world’s illegal drugs
- 23 million use marijuana at least four times a week
- 18 million abuse alcohol
- 6 million regularly use cocaine
- 2 million use heroin
In the workplace, substance abusers may cause problems that can directly affect you. Their abuse lowers productivity, increases the risk of accidents, raises insurance costs, and can even cost you your life. Compared to their non-abusing coworkers, substance abusers are:
- 10 times more likely to miss work
- 3.6 times more likely to be involved in on-the-job accidents
- 5 times more likely to injure themselves or another in the process
- 5 times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim
- 33% less productive
- Responsible for health care costs that are three times as high
As a result, these workers increase the workloads of others, lower productivity, compromise quality, and tarnish the organization’s image.
Signs of abuse.
Although signs can be difficult to identify, there are some clues that signal drug and alcohol issues:
- Accidents both on and off work
- Frequent, prolonged, and often unexplained absences
- Unpredictable work patterns and decreased productivity
- Over reaction to real or perceived criticism
- Physical signs like exhaustion, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, slurred speech, unsteady walk, lack of personal hygiene
Marijuana users may have glassy/bloodshot eyes and a persistent cough.
Cocaine users show increased energy and enthusiasm early in their drug involvement, but later show extreme mood swings and can become paranoid or delusional.
Alcohol abusers have a hard time concealing hangovers, their productivity tend to decline and may even show signs of physical deterioration.
What can you do?
- Don’t be an “enabler” - when you overlook the signs of a substance abuser, lend them money, or conceal poor work performance, you are protecting them from the consequences of their actions
- Don’t “look the other way” - if you suspect drug abuse, contact a supervisor, First Sergeant, Security Forces, or Civilian Personnel Office
- Don’t intervene on your own - drug abuse is a serious problem that should be handled by qualified professionals
- Don’t worry about jeopardizing a substance abuser’s job - the reality is that you place a coworker in far greater jeopardy when you don’t report your concern, thus, making continued drug use possible
For more information, please contact the 482nd Fighter Wing Drug Demand Reduction Program office, bldg. 347, room 107.