Work Place Impact – Introduction

Alcohol abuse and the use of illegal drugs are serious workplace problems. Nearly three quarters of those who use illegal drugs also work, and alcohol remains the leading drug of abuse as one in every ten people in the U.S. has an alcohol problem. People don’t check their substance abuse problems at the door when they enter the workplace. Workers who abuse alcohol and other drugs affect everyone around them. Substance abuse can affect all segments of the workforce ranging from employees with tedious repetitive tasks to managers under stress.

The Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies require testing employees for illegal drugs and alcohol. Transportation industry employees whose jobs are designated as “safety-sensitive” are subject to random testing. The substances tested for are alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and PCP. A positive drug or alcohol test can result in the loss of a job or in some cases a career.