DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
Productivity of an organization or any business venture is principally dependent on its labor force. Subjecting this labor force to a suitable working condition is therefore best remedy in achieving the desired goals of an organization. Workplace environment can only be improved through enhancing of health, safety and well-being of the employees. This ambition can however be thwarted by drug abuse in the workplace.
This menace has been on the rise despite spirited effort to curb it. It is estimated that almost seventy five percent of adults who consume prohibited drugs are employed. U.S for instance, consumes sixty percent of illicit drugs produced in the world and one out of four employees between the ages of 18-35 years has admitted using the illicit drugs. The attitude of substance abusers towards work is highly affected by the vice. These employees are known to be less productive, always involved in workplace accidents as well as persistent desire to frequently change their jobs compared to non-drug abusers. Additionally, these workers are known to file lawsuits claiming compensation.
In addition to the aforementioned, workplace substance abuse has colossal economic effects on both the organization as well as the national scale. It is estimated that American businesses lose about a hundred billion dollars annually courtesy of substance abuse in the workplace. This computation has been generated from medical costs, compensation costs, and losses from employee absenteeism as well as reduced productivity. All these negative impacts therefore call for establishment of a drug free environment in the workplace Barbeito (2004, 120).
World major economies as well as developing countries have initiated programs that would ensure suppression consumption of illicit drugs in the workplace. This program encompasses policy that would safeguard the interest of the employer, employee as well as that of the customer. The philosophy of this program is to deter the substance abusers and not to detect them. Moreover, this policy protects the health and safety of the employees as well as that of the employer. It also safeguards the employers properties from possible destruction andor theft. The organizations integrity is therefore upheld upon proper implementation of such policies. Besides, strict adherence to such regulations results in the production of high quality goods and services. Employers who implement such policies in U.S for instance receive a premium credit of about five percent of the compensation stipulated in the workers insurance policy Bizmanualz (2008, 484).
According to the Laws and Federal regulations of the U.S, the program is mandated to provide training for the supervisors as well as education for the employees on importance of drug-free workplace. The program compels the employer to embark on an intensive awareness campaign aimed at enlightening the workers on the need to keep the workplace safe and healthy. Besides, this campaign sheds more light on the dangers of drug abuse in workplace, existence of rehabilitation and counseling centers for the drug abusers as well as consequences and penalties associated with drug abuse violations in the workplace Barbeito (2004, 121). The legislation further provides the subjection of workers to medical tests to affirm their health relative to drug consumption. Substances tested in this case include Amphetamines, PCP, Marijuana, Opiates as well as Cocaine. The examinations are carried out in specified Laboratories and the expenses met by the employer. Such tests are performed by qualified medical professionals under the watchful eye of the third party administrator as provided by the law. Above and beyond, substance abuse professional may also be included in this activity to help the medical review officer in his duties. The employers presence is however obvious Barbeito (2004, 121).
The program further recommends situations in which such tests are applied. This may include examination before employment, after an occurrence of an accident where the cause of that accident would be unraveled. The tests may also be accomplished randomly or as probable cause or even as a return-to-duty activity where an employer would want to ascertain the employees status after a holiday. This last strategy may as well be used by the employer to follow-up the status of workers after an earlier investigation. The program is not only meant to provide a suitable drug-free environment in the workplace alone but also require the workers to convey the commendable behavior home. The employer is thereafter required by the legislation to restore confidentiality as far as the results of the tests are concerned Bizmanualz (2008, 484).
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DRUG ABUSE IN WORKPLACE
Since 1980, U.S has witnessed a steady rise in the economic burden associated with the drugs in workplace. This led to the formation of Drug-free workplace Act in 1989 by the congress to counter the enormous economic losses experienced at that time Bizmanualz (2008, 486). The impact of this Act has however been minimal given the fact that the current economic loss is estimated at hundred billion dollars annually up from fifty seven billion dollars when the Act was effective. The increase in such losses would not only be linked to the increase in the drug prevalence rates but also to an increase in the population of the targeted group.
Increase in rate of drug abuse prevalence has been immense in many parts of the world. In U.S for instance, the increase has been imminent in the recent past amid existence of stringent measures to avert the problem. The country is currently enduring a constant acceleration in the prevalence rate of abuse of four main drugs namely alcohol, marijuana, heroine, and cocaine. Current statistics estimate alcohol consumption to be about thirteen million people, marijuana at twenty million, cocaine at six million people and finally heroine a minimal number of about half a million people Barbeito (2004, 121). See table1.0 below. The aforementioned drugs impact negatively on the lives of many people.
TABLE 1.0 U.S four most abused drugs in the workplace
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EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE
More than a hundred thousand annual deaths in U.S are associated with excessive consumption of alcohol. Other consequences of alcohol consumption may include accidents in the workplace as well as on roads, onset of dangerous diseases such as cancer and liver cirrhosis. Generally, alcohol interferes with ones neurological system by impairing the movement and coordination of the body. This poses a lot of risks in the workplace since the affected may not be in a position to operate a machine or deliver a service to a customer effectively. This therefore reduces the productivity of the organization thereby negatively impacting on the economy Barbeito (2004, 121).
EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE
Marijuana on the other hand has been cited as one of the most abused substances in America. According to Campbell and Langford (1995, 37), chronic consumption of Marijuana may impair ones balance and coordination just as alcohol does. This therefore increases the inability of the affected to carry out certain activities such as driving. It is therefore necessary to avoid the drug in workplaces. However, there are exceptions to the use of this drug. The Federal law provides leniency on the drug use in cases where this substance has been prescribed by the doctor. The employers are therefore advised to accord medical marijuana undue favor in cases where the workers turn positive during such tests (Campbell and Langford 1995, 37).
EFFECTS OF COCAINE ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE
Campbell and Langford (1995, 38) associate cocaine abuse with endless sleep that individuals experience after consumption of the illicit drug. Cocaine was used for a long time in late 90s as a beverage as well as medicine in many European countries, Australia and North American States. This was followed by enactment of laws that would control cocaine usage. The legislation was successful since decline in the substance use was recorded in many states in mid 90s. However, the cocaine consumption later increased steadily among the youths South as well as some parts of North America. This drug is dangerous and dependence on the substance subjects an individual to serious health problems as well as psychological disorientation hence chances of engaging in criminal activities as well as violence. It was a component of alcohol but was later removed in 1920s due to its high degree of addiction (Campbell and Langford 1995, 37). Heroine consumption in the workplace should therefore be suppressed at all costs.
EFFECTS OF HEROINE ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE
Heroine is considered one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. Just like the other opiates, heroine consumption poses negative effects to a worker and the victim may witness symptoms of sedation, euphoria as well as other health effects such as respiratory problems, constipation, and nausea and so on. This drug is consumed through nasal inhalation as well as injection through the skin and can therefore easily spread HIVAIDS virus in case such equipment is shared with the affected. Heroine consumption has increased in many parts of Southeastern America and this has been attributed to the purity of the drug currently found on most of the streets of these countries (Campbell and Langford 1995, 37).
CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS
Most economies including U.S have lost hundreds of billions of dollars as a result of problems associated with drug abuse in workplaces. It is equally disheartening to observe the current steady increase in drug abuse in many workplaces. However, commendable efforts have been put in place by various authorities in an attempt to suppress the menace. Nevertheless, a combined effort is required in order to combat this deadly problem that has not only threatened to rob the whole world of its wealth but also send many of its population to the grave. An international treaty should be formed with a well designed and formulated policy signed by every nation to confront this issue in a global perspective. Stern measures should also be adopted to penalize those who contravene the international accord. On the hand, single-handed initiatives should be implemented by the leadership of each nation aimed at controlling drug abuse in the workplace. The universal body should be bequeathed with power and authority to oversee such schemes.
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