Why Do I Need to Be
Drug or/and Alcohol Free in the Workplace?
Please note that “you” in
this blog is an “editorial you” meaning it’s not personally saying you.
According to DATIA (Drug &
Alcohol Testing Industry Association), “Employees who use marijuana have 75%
more absenteeism, 55% more industrial accidents and 85% more workplace injuries
than other employees[1]” The
injuries, damage to merchandise, and lack of moral of other co-workers who must
cover the work of the absent or/and injured worker increases the cost to run a
business. Additionally, drug and alcohol use increases the cost of health,
disability and business insurance; therefore, decreasing your paycheck.
An alarming percentage of all “on-the-job
accidents” are impacted by drugs or/and alcohol through fatal accidents, injuries,
accidents, slow functioning, absences, impaired judgment, hangovers, coming
down from high and disciplinary issues with their supervisors and problems
getting along with their co-workers.[2] Drug
usage can also affect others who work with you through an involuntary “contact
high”; hence, affecting their performance. Although some people give the
appearance that they can “handle” drugs/alcohol, their performance is greatly
impaired from the effects of the THC or/and Ethanol [3]. “Alcohol and drug use among employees
and their family members can be an expensive problem for business and industry,
with issues ranging from lost productivity, absenteeism, injuries, fatalities,
and theft to an increase in health care, legal liabilities and workers'
compensation costs.”
“Research studies have shown that
marijuana use can be impairing and can impact reaction times, concentration,
task performance, and driving.”[4]
Many drugs create dependency through the craving for the “high” and to get “higher”.
Drug dependency is dangerous because one becomes fixated on getting their next
“fix” which takes one’s attention from their surroundings and concentration on
their job or/and performance. One can
also become so absorbed in their “high” that they don’t realize things
happening around them such as dangers like ladder safety, broken items (such as
broken glass or sharp edge on a shelf or merchandise), and other safety
details.
[1]. http://www.datia.org/marijuana-outreach-fund.html
- “DONATE NOW: DONATE TO THE MARIJUANA EDUCATION OUTREACH FUND”. DATIA
MARCH 31, 2015.
[2] https://www.ncadd.org/ -
NCADD (National Counsel on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. 2017, 217
Broadway, Suite 712New York , NY
10007
[4] https://blog.employersolutions.com/weeding-out-the-facts-webinar-recap/
- “Weeding Out The Facts” by Dr. Barry Sample and D. Faye Caldwell Webinar
on February 15, 2017 by Quest Diagnostics
