Substance Abuse In the Workplace
What Employees Need to Know
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:• Comprehend the harmful impact of
workplace substance abuse• Understand the requirements of the law and
company policy• Identify ways in which alcohol and drugs
impair job performance• Recognize signs of substance abuse• Take action to deal with abuse problems
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
What You Need to Know• Scope, cost, and control of workplace
substance abuse• Effects of alcohol and drugs on job
performance• How to recognize a substance abuse
problem•What to do about a co-worker’s problem• How to get help for a drug or alcohol
problem
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
The Scope of the Problem• 10% of U.S. workers
abuse drugs or alcohol (or both)• Most substance
abusers are employed• 60% of workers know
someone who has reported for work under the influence• Anyone can be a
substance abuser
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
The Cost of Substance Abuse• Substance abuse
costs more than $50 billion annually• Abusers generally:
• Are less productive• Make more mistakes• Lose more time from
work
• Abusers have more accidents
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
The Cost of Substance Abuse (cont.)
• 40% of industrial fatalities are linked to substance abuse• 47% of all occupational accidents can be
attributed to substance abuse• Substance abuse often leads to theft and
crime in the workplace
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Drug-Free Workplace Act• Written policy• Awareness program• Reporting
requirements• Disciplinary action• Rehabilitation
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OSHA Requirements• Protection against recognized hazards • Substance abuse is such a recognized
hazard
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Our Policy• Prohibits the possession, use, or sale of
drugs or alcohol on company property• Forbids working under the influence• Provides assistance to employees who want
help for an abuse problem• Imposes discipline on those who violate
rules and refuse help
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Substance Abuse Basics• Do you understand the
information presented in the previous slides?
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Alcohol• Has a sedative effect• Can be highly addictive• Impairs job
performance• Is a proven killer
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Marijuana• Most frequently used
drug in the workplace• Is a relaxant• Impairs performance• Effects can last for
hours
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Cocaine• Causes a brief intense
high• Can be highly addictive• Seriously impairs
performance• Increases potential for
accidents and crime• Can destroy a person’s
life
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Amphetamines• Used to give energy or
lose weight• Highly addictive• Impair job performance• Cause serious physical
damage
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Heroin• Highly addictive• Leads to serious
health conditions• Impairs job
performance• Increases potential for
workplace theft and crime
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Hallucinogens• Distort users’ perception of reality• Cause bizarre and sometimes violent
behavior• Impair job performance• Can cause irreversible physical and mental
problems
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Prescription Drugs• Can be addictive• Many people use these
drugs for nonmedical reasons• Can impair job
performance• Can lead to use of
other dangerous drugs
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Substance Abuse Specifics• Do you understand the
information presented in the previous slides?
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How Can You Recognize An Abuse Problem?• Early on• As the problem
becomes more serious• Once a person is
addicted
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How Can You Get Help?• Ask your supervisor or
human resources for programs the company provides• Talk to a health
professional or minister
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How Can You Get Help? (cont.)
• Look in the phone book • Check the Internet
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What If a Co-Worker Has a Problem?• Express your concern• Encourage the person
to get help• Talk to your supervisor
if the problem persists
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Key Points to Remember• Substance abuse threatens the productivity,
safety, and security of our company and employees•Working under the influence of alcohol or
drugs seriously impairs a person’s ability to perform the job well and safely• Never ignore a substance abuse problem—
take prompt action to solve it