Workplace Substance Abuse: What Employers Can Do

Workplace Substance Abuse: What Employers Can Dodiscusses substance abuse problems. Options on how municipal employers can minimize exposure to lawsuits are outlined. Steps in establishing a comprehensive substance abuse policy are provided. MTAS Personnel Report, no.

The effectiveness of an evidence-based workplace substance abuse and substance-related HIV prevention programme within a service industry in Cape Town, South Africa

This study tested the effectiveness of a substance abuse and substance-related HIV prevention programme designed for use within a South African workplace setting. The overarching study design used in this study was a clustered RCT which employed seven distinct phases. Phase 1 of the study required determining the effectiveness of programmes to prevent substance abuse and substance-related HIV risks at the workplace through a systematic review. This was followed by the selection of a substance abuse and substance related HIV prevention programme for implementation within a service industry in Cape Town, South Africa. Phase 2 employed a cross-sectional study design for collecting baseline data on substance abuse and substance-related HIV risks. Phase 3 of the study required the effective adaptation of the selected evidence-based substance abuse and substance-related HIV risks prevention programme for application in the workplace. This phase was followed by an outcomes evaluation on the implemented programme. Qualitative in-depth interviews with 8 participants, all senior management in the organization where study was conducted, concluded the study. For the clustered RCT, data were gathered from 325 employees who were employed in two divisions within a local municipality. The Team Awareness (TA) intervention, an eight hour evidence-based programme addressing behavioural risk among employees, was administered to 168 employees in the intervention arm. The 157 employees in the control arm received a one hour wellness talk. Self-report questionnaires were used to gather data on demographic variables, the work environment, policy and EAP service utilisation, substance abuse behaviours, co-worker substance abuse and substance-related HIV risks. Data was analysed using a random effects model accounting for clustering. This study found that alcohol is the more commonly substance abused by persons in this sample. Of the sample surveyed, more than three quarters indicated abuse of alcohol, with only a small proportion of employees reporting drug abuse. Close to a quarter had a positive CAGE score greater than the cut-off :!:2, suggesting hazardous drinking patterns. A third of employees in our sample, who use alcohol, reported engaging in risky sexual practices. The results suggest that employees who received TA showed significant reductions in the risky use of alcohol from baseline to three month follow-up. TA was also found to increase willingness to use the EAP service and improve employee knowledge in relation to workplace substance abuse polices. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based prevention programmes in workplace settings. It further highlights that application of one intervention programme, Team Awareness since TA was found to contribute to reductions in problem drinking and increases help-seeking behaviours. Additionally such prevention programmes create positive attitudes towards policies that regulate substance abuse within the workplace environment. The study makes useful recommendations for research practice and policy to help organisations address the burden of substance abuse

THE COST OF ALCOHOL IN THE WORKPLACE IN BELGIUM

Background: It has been suggested that alcohol problems have a major impact in the workplace. It has long been recognized that misuse can have serious consequences for the productivity of workers. The extent of the problem is still an uncalculated cost. Few studies provide clear evidence of a cause, effect or relationship between substance abuse and workplace costs and valuable guidance to employers in evaluating the cost of substance abuse in their workplaces is missing. Objective: To estimate the awareness, policies and cost to employers of drinking in the workplace in Belgium and to illustrate the potential gains from drinking cessation provision. Costs vary with type of industry and policy in place; therefore, to estimate these costs, results from a survey were combined with evidence drawn from a review of literature. Study design: An Internet survey of 216 workplaces in Belgium, based on a stratified random sample of workplaces with 50 or more employees, was conducted in 2005. Further information was collected from 150 occupational physicians. Additional evidence was compiled from a review of the literature of drinking-related costs. Results: 216 General Directors or HR Directors completed a questionnaire related to awareness, policy and costs. 150 occupational physicians completed a questionnaire related to awareness and policy. Companies are unaware or underestimate alcohol misuse among their employees. At least 84% of companies have no education or information policy about substance abuse. Absenteeism, accidents and turnover account for 0.87% of the wage bill. Reduced productivity/ (presenteeism accounts for 2.8%. The construction industry, postal services, hospitality industry (hotel/restaurants and catering) and sanitation industry (collection, street cleaning) are the most problematic sectors. Conclusion: Awareness: many companies are totally unaware of the impact of substance abuse and those that are aware underestimate the problem. Sectors are heterogeneous; some are more problematic than others. Policy: although there is a link between policy and consumption, few companies have a clear substance abuse policy. Cost: reduced productivity is perceived as the most important cost

Incidence of Substance Abuse in the Workplace

A survey of employers' attitudes regarding the prevalence of drugs in the workplace, how employee drug use impacts their firm, and the effectiveness of company policies to treat and prevent employee substance abuse

Impact of the policy environment on substance use among sexual minority women

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) are at greater risk for heavy episodic drinking, frequent marijuana use, and tobacco use than heterosexual women. Because past research has suggested the political and social environment may influence disparities in substance use by sexual orientation, this study examined associations of the U.S. state-level policy environment on substance use by SMW. Methods: A total of 732 SMW participants were recruited from two national online panels: a general population panel (n = 333) and a sexual minority-specific panel (n = 399). Past year substance use was defined by number of days of heavy episodic drinking (HED; 4+ drinks in a day), weekly tobacco use (once a week or more vs. less or none), and weekly marijuana use (once a week or more vs. less or none). Comprehensive state policy protection was defined by enactment of five policies protecting rights of sexual minorities. Regression models compared substance use outcomes for SMW living in states with comprehensive policy protections to SMW living in states with fewer or no protections. Models also assessed the impact of state policies related to alcohol (state monopoly on alcohol wholesale or retail sales), tobacco (state enactment of comprehensive smoke-free workplace laws) and marijuana (legalization of purchase, possession, or consumption of marijuana for recreational use). Results: Comprehensive policy protections were associated with fewer HED days. Recreational marijuana legalization was associated with higher odds of weekly use. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of policy protections for sexual minorities in reducing substance use, particularly HED, among SMW

WORKPLACE SUBSTANCE USE, THE RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL INJURY, AND TESTING

Over the past 20 years, the "workplace substance abuse prevention industry" has grown enormously in size and has become more sophisticated in its marketing approach. Drug testing alone has become a $6 billion industry. Employee assistance programs are now widely used by employers at significant cost. This thesis presents a brief review of drug use patterns as related to occupational injuries together with a history of workplace testing. Results from studies suggest that drug-free workplace programs are an important public health approach to improving workplace health and safety through early intervention and, quite possibly, substance abuse prevention

Populations Experiencing Homelessness: Diverse Barriers to Employment and How to Address Them

People experience homelessness for many reasons including financial insecurity, a lack of affordable housing, and difficulty accessing services such as medical care. Effective employment programs take special care when serving individuals facing these barriers. This best practice brief outlines the common employment barriers for these populations and provides considerations for tailoring employment services and prioritizing supportive services to best meet their needs