The following case study was published by Working Partners of the United
States Department of Labor:
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The American workplace consists primarily of small businesses. The
federal government estimates that 71 percent of illegal drug users are
employed; the majority work for small businesses.1
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"Small businesses may be particularly vulnerable to problems of drug
abuse among their employees because drug abusers will seek work at
smaller firms where the likelihood of drug testing is slim.2 |
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Small businesses traditionally draw heavily from the pool of 18- to
34-year-old job seekers, a segment of the American population that is
at the heart of a nationwide increase in illegal drug use. Among young
adults age 18-20, 18 percent are current illicit drug users; 12
percent of those age 21-25 and 8 percent of those age 26-34 also are
current drug users.3
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The future work force is also at risk for alcohol and other drug
abuse. Substance abuse among American teens is increasing at an
alarming rateóup 33 percent between 1994 and 1995; up 78 percent
between 1992 and 1995.4
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According to the results of a study released in 1996 by the federal
government, workers from a variety of industries reported the
following levels of substance abuse:5
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Illegal Drugs |
Alcohol |
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Current Use % |
Past Year Use % |
Heavy Use % |
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Agriculture |
3.6 |
11.8 |
5.4 |
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Business & Repair Services
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11.1 |
19.8 |
9.7 |
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Construction |
12.2 |
20.6 |
13.4 |
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Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
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5.4 |
14.6 |
4.5 |
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Manufacturing (Non-Durable Goods)
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7.2 |
15.2 |
7.0 |
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Manufacturing (Durable Goods)
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6.7 |
14.8 |
7.7 |
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Mining |
9.3 |
12.9 |
* |
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Personal Services |
10.3 |
19.3 |
5.8 |
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Professional & Related Services
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4.2 |
11.05 |
3.1 |
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Public Administration |
3.7 |
8.8 |
7.2 |
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Retail Trade |
10.8 |
19.7 |
8.8 |
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Transportation |
5.2 |
13.2 |
7.5 |
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Wholesale Trade |
8.0 |
15.5 |
10.3 |
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An ongoing Postal Service study reports absenteeism, among drug users,
is 66 percent higher, health benefit utilization is 84 percent greater
in dollar terms, disciplinary actions are 90 percent higher, and
employee turnover is significantly higher.6 |
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From large international corporations to relatively small firms,
companies are implementing and maintaining programs to ensure that
their work forces are productive, their workplaces are safe, and the
success of their businesses is not hindered by substance abuse.
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Endnotes:
11995
National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services, 1996.
2 "Mangan, D. "An Rx for Drug Abuse." Small Business Reports
17, no. 5 (May 1993):1,32.
3 1995 National Household Survey, 1996.
4 Ibid.
5 "Drug Use Among U.S. Workers: Prevalence and Trends By
Occupation and Industry Categories," U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services, 1996.
6 "Pre-Employment Associations with EAP, Disciplinary and
Medical Claims Information," United States Postal Service, Personnel
Research and Development Branch, Office of Selection and Evaluation, July
1992.
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