THE ANSWER IS TRUE!

Given that ...

• Lost work productivity alone accounted for nearly $129 billion of the total economic cost of substance abuse.
• Substance abuse by employees results in higher health care expenditures for injuries and illnesses, more absenteeism, reduced productivity and more workers’ compensation and disability claims.
• A study of power company employees found that those with substance abuse problems had 1.5 times as many absences as their non-drug using coworkers, and twice as many medical benefits, and submitted more than twice as many workers’ compensation claims
• Employees who used illicit drugs were more likely than other workers to exhibit job withdrawal behaviors, such as spending work time on non-work-related activities, taking long lunch breaks, leaving early or sleeping on the job.

THE ANSWER IS 7 MILLION!

Use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription drugs negatively affect workers’ well-being and productivity and hurt employers’ bottom lines.

Because of the stigma associated with illicit drug use, both employers and employees are often reluctant to address substance use disorders in the workplace. Employers can mitigate the problems and reduce costs by promoting employee access to substance abuse treatments.

THE ANSWER IS TRUE!

• Replacing an employee costs from 25% to almost 200% of annual compensation - not including the loss of institutional knowledge, service continuity, and coworker productivity and morale that can accompany employee turnover.
• The average cost per visit for outpatient substance abuse treatment (by far the most frequent form of treatment) in 2002 was $26.72.
• Savings from investing in substance abuse treatment can exceed costs by a ration of 12 to 1.

Answer: No – this is not correct. Alcohol test is a medical examination per the American Disabilities Act. With that, an employer’s application of alcohol testing should be limited to certain circumstances. Because of the process the body goes through as it metabolizes alcohol, we use a different bodily specimen and testing methodology for testing than we use for testing drugs.

Answer: True Statistically, abuse of prescription drugs has become a critical problem in America. Between 1992 – 2002, the US population increased 13% and the number of Rx prescriptions filled increased 154%. Although statistically prescription drugs are most often obtained from a friend or family member and for free; the Internet has had a significant impact on this situation driving up abuse as well as risk... Consider what impact this information could have upon your life:

• The Internet provides a marketplace for unapproved drugs
• Buyers may receive counterfeit, contaminated, or adulterated products
• In 2007, there was a 70% increase in the number of websites that advertise or sell Rx drugs
• 84% Internet sales are made without a prescription
• Minors are able to purchase over the net without verification of age or prescription

More info: A typical dose of marijuana is equivalent to .08 BAC (alcohol intoxication) Impairments from Marijuana linger:

• 4x/week user – effect on short-term memory can last 2 weeks
• Regular users - 2 mos. For the "fog" to lift

And although the drug of 1978 is called by the same name as the drug available today, marijuana, there has been a conscious effort and diligent work performed to adjust the growing process and increase potency. THC is the active ingredient that provides the hallucinogenic characteristics of marijuana. See how the average THC value has increased:

• 1978 – 1.37%
• 2002 – 6.79%
• 2006 – 8.5%
• 2008 – 9.6%

If you’d like more information or helping resources contact: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information – www.ncadi.samhsa.gov