|
According to the results of a 2006 study, an
estimated 14.1 percent (17.7 million) of working adults in the U.S. used
illicit drugs in the previous year, with 11.23 percent (14.1 million)
using enough to get high or stoned. Among these workers, marijuana was
the illicit drug most commonly used.
Furthermore, an estimated 3.1 percent (3.9 million)
of working adults actually used illicit drugs before reporting to work
or during working hours in the previous year, with 2.9 percent (3.6
million workers) having been at work under the influence of an illicit
drug. Among this group, marijuana and psychotherapeutic drugs
(sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants and analgesics) were equally
prevalent.
An analysis of demographic information revealed
that male workers used and were impaired by illicit drugs in the
workplace more than female workers. Furthermore, age was inversely
associated with use, with younger workers having used and been impaired
by illicit drugs at work more than older workers. Adjusting for other
predictors, the broad occupation groups with the highest rates of
overall illicit drug use and impairment were: 1) arts, entertainment,
sports, media and 2) food preparation and serving. The three with the
highest rates of workplace use were 1) legal occupations, 2) food
preparation and serving, and 3) building and grounds maintenance.
The study’s results also suggest that illicit drug
use is not distributed uniformly within these broad occupation groups,
with young workers ages 18-30 , both male and female, having
substantially higher rates (male overall use = 56 percent; workplace use
= 28 percent; female overall use = 43 percent; workplace use = 11
percent). Furthermore, even in occupations not considered high risk for
illicit drug use, young men had substantially higher rates (overall use
= 25 percent; workplace use = 8 percent). Thus, employers whose
employees heavily comprise young workers may have special concerns.
The study, published in the July 2006 issue of the
Journal of Applied Psychology, was conducted by the
University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) and
supported by the
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Conclusions were drawn based on data collected via telephone interviews
with a representative sample of 2,806 employed individuals aged 18-65
during 2002 and 2003. Earlier this year, the RIA also published
findings on the prevalence of workplace alcohol use and impairment.
Clearly, workplace drug use presents a potentially significant, but
avoidable hazard, especially for certain employers. By implementing
effective drug-free workplace programs, employers and employees can work
together to help prevent worker drug use and help workers struggling
with drug problems to seek help. For more information about such
drug-free workplace programs, please visit the U.S. Department of
Labor’s
Working Partners Web site.
|
