Drug-Free Workplace

Financial Benefits to You

The financial benefit to you of becoming a Drug-Free Workplace is that stopping substance abuse in the workplace is linked to reduced theft, fewer accidents, and increased productivity and profits.

And, you will receive a five percent reduction in your workman’s compensation insurance premium.

Did you know?

Substance abuse has been estimated to cost the American economy over $365 billion annually.
A large portion of this is attributed to lost productivity which alone costs employers over $260 billion annually. (1)

You and your fellow employers are a key link in curtailing substance abuse and reducing the related costs, since most substance abusers (77%) are employed. (2)

No organization, whether it be a business; a nonprofit; or a governmental unit, is immune to the negative impact of alcohol and drug abuse. Nor does the size or location of the organization matter.

You can help your organization and your employees, and help your community at the same time.  Become a Drug-Free Workplace and join the movement toward a substance-abuse free Indian River County.

But, I Already Have a Drug-Free Workplace Policy

Great! However, it may be outdated.

If your program was implemented before 2009 the chances are that it’s obsolete based on changes in the law and testing procedures.

We can review your policy and guide you in the development of an up-to-date policy so you will be getting all the benefits you have been expecting.

Facts about Alcohol and Illegal or Prescription Drug Abuse

Employees with substance abuse problems:

  • are late to work 3 times more often than other employees
  • use sick time leave 3 times more often
  • are almost 4 times more likely to have an accident at work
  • are 5 times more likely to file worker’s compensation claims.(3)
  • One in five workers report they have had to work harder, redo work or cover for a co-worker, or have been endangered or injured as a result of a fellow employee’s drinking.(4)
  • Over 38% of workers ages 18 to 25 are binge drinkers.(5)
  • Up to 40% of industrial fatalities and 47% percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.(6)
  • Substance abuse is the third leading cause of workplace violence.(7)

The Fastest Growing Threat

Until recently we have viewed abuse in terms of alcohol and illegal drugs. But today prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States.

As the public knows from news reports, this is a major problem in Florida, and right here in Indian River County. Is your workplace dealing with this?

Find the Solution Now

Help your company and your community by sharing the vision of a drug-abuse free lifestyle. We are ready to help you put a program in place and provide you with continuing support.

Contact us today to learn how you can become a Drug-Free Workplace or update your existing policy, and begin realizing the benefits.

FAQs

What is a Drug-Free Workplace?
The drug-free workplace concept is based on the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. A drug-free workplace is free of the health, safety and productivity hazards caused by employee abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Substance use in the workplace includes use at work or drug selling on work premises, but the use does not need to occur on the job for the workplace to be affected. Employees who miss work due to substance use on their own time or come to work impaired are contributing to the workplace problem.

What does a comprehensive drug-free workplace program entail?
It includes five basic components:

  • policy
  • training
  • education
  • employee assistance
  • drug testing.

Overall, what is the purpose of the components?
The components are designed to: provide a safe workplace, discourage alcohol and drug abuse and encourage treatment, recovery and the return to work of those employees with such abuse problems.

To learn more, reach out by phone or email to 772-770-4811 or [email protected].

References

1) Hersch, R. and Royer Cook. Workplace Substance Abuse Prevention – What the Evidence Tells Us. Available at:
http://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-prevention-and-treatment/PreventionStandards/meeting2012_01/-_hersch_workplace.pdf.
Accessed August 13, 2012.

2) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2000). 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

3) U.S. Department of Labor. General Workplace Impact. Available at: http://www.wbgh.org/healthtopics/combating_substance_abuse.cfm. Accessed August 13, 2012.

4) Mangione, T. W., et.al. (1998). New perspectives for Worksite Alcohol Strategies: Results from a Corporate Drinking Study. Boston MA: JSI Research and Training Group.

5) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2000). 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

6) Bernstein, M. and J. Mahoney. (1989). Management Perspectives on Alcoholism: The Employers Stake in Alcoholism Treatment. Occupational Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 2.

7) Drug Free Idaho. How Drug Abuse Affects the Workplace. Available at: http://drugfreeidaho.org/workplace/how-drug-abuse-affects-the-workplace-statistics/. Accessed August 13, 2012.