The advantages of drug testing in the workplace

As the debate rages on about whether or not drug testing in the workplace is morally, if not legally, wrong, statistics from around the world confirm that substance abuse by employees continues to cost lives and money.

The National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, of the United States, says that 40 per cent of industrial fatalities in the country are linked to alcohol abuse. It says drug-using workers are almost four times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents than drug-free workers, reflecting identical results found in a survey by Australian researchers.

Loss in productivity because of drug and alcohol abuse in the US amounted to about US$119 million in the mid-90s while substance abusers were also found to be 33 percent less productive than other employees and cost their employers US$7,000 annually.

Drug Alcohol Testing in the workplace is an effective way of identifying employees who may be abusing drugs and helping them to overcome their problem. Onsite drug and alcohol screening can help with these problems.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse identifies four major problems associated with drug abuse in the workplace, which can largely be countered by drug testing employees.

Safety – according to the US Labor Department, 65 percent of workplace injuries are related to substance abuse while 40 percent of workers who use drugs cause accidents. An employee impaired by drugs and/or its after-effects is less alert and a major safety risk to fellow workers, especially in industries using heavy equipment. Air traffic controllers, train drivers, ambulance drivers, bus drivers, miners and pilots are also in a situation where their job performance directly affects the lives of others. Drug and alcohol testing is good.

Organizational efficiency – Alcohol and drug abuse is known to reduce productivity with studies the US and Australia showing that losses of hundreds millions of dollars are incurred each year because of employees performing below standards from substance use. Problems include absenteeism, low performance and the increased cost of replacing under-performing staff.

Reputational risk – An industrial accident that goes beyond the company and affects the public, such as a bus or train crash, or having public officers, such as police or fire service personnel, involved in drug abuse, can cause such institutions to suffer reputational risk when public confidence is paramount.

Employee welfare – Drug abuse has overall health issues whether or not it affects performance. Workplace drug testing as a deterrent can promote healthy lifestyles among employees, thus raising productivity, and encourage those who may have a problem seek help. Drug & alcohol testing is useful.

According to the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, a survey was conducted among companies that had performed Alcohol Drug Testing on its employees over a certain number of years. It found that 19 percent of organizations experienced an increase in employee productivity after implementing drug tests.

More than 15 percent reported a drop in absenteeism to 4 percent from 9 percent. Fixty-six percent of companies with high workers’ compensation claims reported a drop of 8 percent in claims after drug testing was introduced. Finally, 16 percent of companies said employee turnover decreased since testing was implemented. 

This article has been taken from http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/?p=1951