Our prevention partners at the Drug Free America Foundation have shared results from a national study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University and published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine which found that nearly 9% of U.S. workers under the age of 30 have used alcohol or drugs while on the job. Substances used included cannabis and alcohol as well as prescription painkillers or opioids.
Among younger employees surveyed, 8.9% said they used substances at work in the past year. More than 60% used cannabis. Many admitted not only using substances during work breaks, but also during period of actively working. Findings noted that employees with low job satisfaction or those who felt their positions were insecure were more likely to use alcohol or drugs on the job.
This presents alarming concern for safety, employee morale, and operations in the workplace. On-the-job substance use must be addressed to reduce risk of accidents, maintain productivity, and avoid liability issues.
Workplace culture must support open communication so employees feel safe discussing mental health or personnel challenges without fear of judgment - this can identify potential issues before they escalate. Employees who feel valued and secure in their roles are less likely to engage in harmful behavior, including using substances at work.
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