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SIZING UP AMERICA'S DRUG PROBLEM:
60% of the world's illegal drug market is in the U.S.A.
(with 6% of the world's population);
Over 20 million Americans use Marijuana;
An estimated 6 million Americans use Cocaine;
An estimated half a million Americans use Heroin;
An estimated 13 million Americans are alcoholics;
Almost 1/3 of Americans between ages 20 and 40 have
used an illicit drug once in the past year
Almost 1/2 of Americans Entering the work Force have
used an illicit drug once in the past year.
Many of these drug users are prominent citizens in
our communities.
They are business owners, doctors, civic leaders, parents
and neighbors.
Consider the profile of a regular cocaine user:
Well educated [average of 14 years of education]
Employed [77%] and well-paid [37% earn over 25K]
56% engage in illegal activity other than drug possession
to support the habit.
[Source: National Drug Task Force Journal]
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WHO "DOES DRUGS"
IN AMERICA?
2/3 of drug abusers are employed !!
Of these, 3/4 are full time.
Forget the old stereotype of the UNEMPLOYED drug abuser!!
18-25 is peak age.
in 18-25 y.o. group, 15% of males & 10% of females
abuse drugs.
There are more high income drug abusers than low income.
More drug abusers are employed full time than part time.
THE OVERALL RATE of drug abuse in America (both sexes
& all ages) = FIVE PERCENT!
For more complete statustics on drug abuse, click here
to see the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse http://www.health.org/pubs/nhsda/../index.htm
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AMERICA'S HIGH SCHOOLS SAMPLE
DATA
from the study: "MONITORING THE FUTURE" 1996
MARIJUANA (lifetime)
8th Graders: 23.1%
Sophomores: 39.8%
Seniors: 44.9%
MARIJUANA (current)
8th Graders: 11.3%
Sophomores: 20.4%
HALLUCINOGENS:
(All... including LSD, Mushrooms, etc.)
Seniors: 3.5%
LSD:
Seniors: 2.5%
Sophomores (LSD) 2.4%
PCP:
Seniors: 1.3%
INHALANTS:
Seniors: 2.5%
TRANQUILIZERS:
Sophomores: 7.1%
COCAINE:
Seniors: 4.9%
Sophomores: 6.5%
MDMA:
Seniors: 6%
8th Graders: 3.4%
Click here to see the complete statistics for 1996http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol12N2/DrugUse.html
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THE COST OF THE PROBLEM:
Annual cost of Federal entitlement programs alone due
to alcohol & illegal drug abuse:
$31 billion!
This figure does NOT include the cost of crime, courts,
or prisons, or the share paid by state and local governments!
This figure also does NOT include the cost of deterrent
programs such as the DFW programs.
$21 billion of this amount is due to illegal drug use
(non alcohol.)
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DRUGS IN THE WORKPLACE:
[from "Putting Drugs out of Work" published
by the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana
-- and also other sources]
NATIONWIDE, ALMOST 10% OF EMPLOYEES USE DRUGS IN THE
WORKPLACE!
[National Institute on Drug Addictiction]
DRUGS ARE JUST AS MUCH A PROBLEM IN THE WORKPLACE AS
THEY ARE ELSEWHERE. THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO THE WORKING
ENVIRONMENT WHERE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ASSEMBLE, MONEY IS
MADE TO PAY FOR DRUGS, AND THE THREAT OF GETTING CAUGHT
IS MINIMAL. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 1 OUT OF 5 WORKERS,
18-25 YEARS OF AGE, AND 1 OUT OF 8 WORKERS, 26-34 YEARS
OF AGE, ABUSE DRUGS ON THE JOB.
It is estimated that drug users cost businesses over
$100 billion per year, directly and indirectly.
DIRECT COSTS TO YOUR BUSINESS:
Drug abusing employees acquire 300% higher medical
costs and benefits which consequently increases health
insurance rates. [U.S. Chamber of Commerce]
Illicit drug users are five times more likely to file
a workers' compensation claim. [U.S. Dept. of Justice,
Drug Enforcement Administration]
Many illegal drugs are bought by money diverted from
legitimate businesses and could be as much as 100 billiion
a year. (2.5% of GNP and 8% of discretionary spending)
[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]
INDIRECT COSTS TO YOUR BUSINESS:
Credible studies show that a substance abuser will function
at about 67% of his/her capacity! Data supports the
"generalization" that they are NOT productive
workers! [National Institute on Drug Addiction]
Employees using drugs are three times more likely to
be late for work and 2.5 times more likely to have absences
of eight or more days. Collectively, substance abusers
have an absentee rate of 30-35 days per year! [U.S.
Chamber of Commerce]
Drug use in the workplace breeds drug dealers in the
workplace. An Indiana Gallup survey revealed that 32%
of workers knew of drug use by employees on the job;
and 10% had been offered drugs to use on the job while
at work.
Drug users have 3.6 times as many accidents. Up to
40% of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries
can be linked to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. [Employee
Assistance Society of North America]
Drug users tend to have bad work habits and tend to
reduce morale.
All professionals should be aware of the prevalence
of drug abuse in the workplace!
Before reviewing these rates (courtesy of SmithKline
Beecham labs) remember that these are the tallys of
drug tests on PERSONS WHO KNEW THAT THEY WERE SUBJECT
TO DRUG TESTING!
Click here to see these "annual positivity rates".
Click here to see more interesting facts... and meet
a company who is serious about the Drug Free Workplace
rules
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THE IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE ON
SAFETY:
More than 1/3 of injured employees had used marijuana
within a few hours prior to injury!
16.5% of the seriously injured employees had been drinking
AND smoking marijuana!
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WHY HAVE A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE?
REASON NUMBER ONE IS:
THE LAW MIGHT REQUIRE IT IN YOUR BUSINESS!
If you are in the transportation industry, OR if you
are billing Uncle Sam for more than $25K in any year,
or if you are a government organization, then the LAW
requires that you have a DRUG FREE WORKPLCE!
Even if not required by law to have a drug free workplace,
consider the following.
A GOOD DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE PROGRAM CAN:
Reduce operational costs.
Preserve investor or shareholder interests.
Protect loyal employees
Improve products and services
Result in better service to customers and clients
Increase profits.
Help many people lead healthier lives
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IS LEGALIZATION THE
ANSWER?
Legalization of Marijuana in Holland from 1984 to 1992
resulted in 250% increase in adolescent Marijuana use
and a 30% rise in registered Cannabis addicts! During
this same period, Marijuana use by American adolescents
plunged 66%!
Addiction also skyrocketed in England during a similar
"experiment" in England in the 60's.
Proponents of legalization ignore:
The results of such "experiments!"
The devastating effects of drugs on quality of life
and longevity.
The horrific expense of drug-induced disability, crime,
lost wages, and morbidity!
Newly emerging studies showing the effectiveness of
drug abuse prevention programs.
To learn more about the issue of legalizing or de-criminalizing
drugs:
http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/druginfo/home.html
Here are some internet newsgroup sites you can visit
where drug and alcohol abuse issues are discussed:
news.alt.drugs
news.alt.drugs.chemistry
news.alt.drug
news.alt.drugs.culture
news.alt.drugs.hard
news.alt.drugs.pot
news.alt.drugs.cultivation
news.alt.drugs.psychedelics
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ARE WE TESTING FOR ALL THE DRUGS OF ABUSE? ... NO!
Currently, federal programs mandate testing for only
5 drugs of abuse: Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines,
Opiates, and PCP.
Many employers add the following five drugs to make
a "ten panel" testing program:
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
Methaqualone
Propoxyphene
FREQUENTLY ABUSED DRUGS WE ARE NOT TESTING FOR:
Certain Benzodiazepines:
(Most notorious is the import called "Rohypnol"the
"date rape" drug.)
Amphetamine derivatives:
(These are the so-called "designer drugs"
.... Ecstacy, Eve, etc.)
Opiate Analogs:
(such as Hydrocodone, Percodan, etc.)
Mushrooms
(Psilocybin) (Very commonly abused, and grown, by young
abusers)
L.S.D.:
(Very commonly sold & abused. Testing rare because
of expense]
Betel Quid:
(The chewing of "betel nuts" is quite common
in some areas)
Metcathionine:
(Amphetamine-like derivative of African Khat plant.
Popular in Russia since 1980's)
Gamma hydroxybutyrate or "GHB"
(formerly sold as a "muscle builder" in health
food stores.)
Inhalants:
(Sniffing "of glue" & aerosols, and other
volotile substances ... especially by young teens) [Most
common solvents & aerosols are Toluene, Zylene,
& Benzene...... but there are others]
For detailed information on all the drugs of abuse,
navigate to "Drugs of Abuse" on this website!
[Excellent reference for Review of Drug Abuse: EMERGENCY
MEDICINE, JULY 1995]
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DOES DRUG TESTING
WORK?
1994 Zwerling/Ryan Research.....says YES!
"Under the Influence" by Lempert & O'Brien
[These are from the ACOEM Course] ....also says YES!
Review of Accident & Injury rates in trucking industry......
says YES!
Review of Accident, Injury & absentee rates in other
industries ...... says YES!
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LEGAL CONCERNS:
THE NUMBER ONE CONSIDERATION from the beginning has
been the issue of "ILLEGAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE"
(of body fluids.) There are many opponents of the whole
concept of drug testing and their two favorite watch-words
are that the testing is "INVASIVE" and represents
"ILLEGAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE." In more pleasant
language, there are two questions:
Are drug and alcohol testing fair and non-discriminatory?
Do drug and alcohol testing compromise the right to
privacy?
TO DATE, COURT DECISIONS PROVIDE TWO INCENTIVES FOR
DRUG TESTING:
HERE'S THE CARROT: To date, courts have upheld drug
testing as a legitimate means of determining employees'
ability to work
HERE'S THE STICK!: The majority of courts have held
businesses liable for accidents caused by drug-using
emloyees; particularly when the company has no formal
Drug-Free-Workplace policy.
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THE FIRST PRINCIPLE
OF ADMINISTERING A DRUG TESTING PROGRAM
Require no test unless specifically required by regulation
or written Company Policy!
The decision to test an employee is relatively easy
in the case of Pre-employment, Post-accident, and Return
to work testing.
The decision is most tricky when it comes to "reasonable
suspicion" or "probable cause."
[Be sure you have the "questionable behavior"
well documented and witnessed and be sure the employee
and the supervisor involved have had the required training!]
Random testing is tricky and must be managed properly!
Random testing seems to be the most difficult for administrators
to understand even though the rule is simple: On each
occasion that a random selection is made, EVERY EMPLOYEE
in the pool must have an equal chance of being selcted!
RANDOM DOES NOT MEAN "DISCRETIONARY!"
INCLUDE EMPLOYEES (LABOR) IN DEVELOPING A DRUG-FREE
WORKPLACE
A joint management-labor Drug-Free-Workplace boosts
morale and results in better acceptance of the plan
by a company's work force. Management-driven programs
have a much higher probability of being challenged through
litigation than those programs that have the full confidence
of both management and company emloyees.
[Most recent revision © Sept. 25, 1996]
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