FAXNEWZ    Handout  #7013

HR Magazine

February, 1998, pgs 81-87

DRUGS in the Workplace 
    ( Sobering Statistics )

1. Marijuana use is increasing.

       From 1996 to 1997, marijuana increased from 52% to 59% of all 
       positive tests, while cocaine was at 18%, opiates at 8%, and 
       amphetamines, PCP and other drugs totaled 15%.

2. Abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise.

       DEAs say that 25%-30% of all workplace drug abuse now involves 
       prescription drugs.  The drug of choice is Vicodin, a painkiller, while 
       others frequently abused include Demerol, Darvon, Tylenol with 
       codeine, Xanax, Valium, and stimulants such as Ritalin.

3. Low unemployment makes is harder to banish all drug users from 
    the workplace.

       To fill vacant positions, some companies seem to be shifting from 
       a zero tolerance policy, to "two strikes and you're out".

4. Drug users are gravitating to small businesses.

       60% of employed drug users work for small companies, and that is 
       expected to increase as more mid-sized companies discover and 
       banish drug abusers.

5. Drug sales have moved from the street to the workplace.

       A dealer who sells on credit to co-workers on Monday, knows where 
       to find them for payment on Friday.  And often, the users will volunteer 
       to recruit other workers as customers to help finance their habit.

6. Substance abuse by women is on the increase.

       Today's girls are 15 times more likely than their mothers were to begin 
       using illegal drugs by age 15.

7. Young employees tend to be more comfortable with drug use.

       College graduates who developed a drug habit on campus are less 
       likely to quit using drugs when they enter the workforce.

8. Test, Test, Test ..... The American Management Association did a 
    national survey in 1996, and

       * 76.6% of companies pre-employment drug screen
       * 33.7% conduct periodic or random tests
       * 70.3% test employees for suspicion or post-accident.