NCJ Number
192870
Date Published
2001
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video presents a teleconference on the scope, consequences, and ways of countering drug abuse in the workplace through community coalitions committed to aiding small and intermediate-size businesses in the development of programs to combat drug use by employees.
Abstract
The host of the panel first presents the scope and consequences of drug abuse by employees. She notes that since drug abuse is a general problem in society, it inevitably spills over into the workplace. The consequences of drug abuse by employees include lower productivity, more sick leave, increased numbers of worker compensation claims, increased job-related injuries, and higher risk for liability claims against the company due to worker incompetence. The panel consists of three representatives of efforts to combat drug abuse in the workplace. One panel member profiles the efforts of a Houston (Texas) coalition in providing technical assistance to businesses in the development of workplace drug programs. She profiles coalition efforts to increase the awareness and commitment of employers to the reduction of employee drug use. The general steps advocated by the coalition are for companies to develop written company policies regarding employee drug abuse and how the company identifies and responds to drug abuse; the training of supervisors in the policy and how to identify the warning signs of drug abuse by employees; procedures for detecting drug abuse; pre-employment and employee drug testing; and employee assistance programs that provide counseling and referral services for drug-abusing employees. A second panel member describes similar coalition efforts in Miami, Fla. His presentation includes a number of TV spots that cite the problems and consequences of workplace drug abuse and offer employers a number to call for technical assistance in dealing with this problem. The third panel member represents the U.S. Department of Labor's Working Partners in the Alcohol and Drug-Free Program. This program provides guidelines and technical assistance for the development of coalitions to counter workplace drug abuse, as well as direct technical assistance for employers who wish to develop workplace programs to combat employee drug abuse. The teleconference concludes with telephone questions from teleconference participants.