MARIJUANA USE DOWN AMONG WORKERS

The use of marijuana in the workplace decreased sharply in the
second quarter of this year, after nearly a year of steady growth,
according to statistics released by Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

"The significant drop in marijuana use is great news," said Carl A.
Linden, Diagnostic Laboratory Services' scientific director.

He said the numbers haven't been this low in a year. Linden noted
that his lab's latest numbers show a decline in overall drug use
detected to 3.2 percent of all employees tested. "That usually
translates into a workplace that is more productive and safe," he said.

The company, which describes itself as Hawai'i's largest
drug-testing company, releases drug statistics each quarter. The
company handles drug testing for about 700 local businesses.

Data for the study came from more than 9,000 employees -- or
potential employees -- tested between April and June. The report
also showed the use of other drugs remains relatively stable.

The use of crystal methamphetamine inched down from 0.9 percent to
0.8 percent for the first quarter of the year.

The statistics also showed:

The number of workers who used cocaine remained the same at 0.3 percent.

The abuse of opiates, or prescription drugs, jumped from 0.3 percent
to 0.5 percent.

THC, or marijuana, dropped from 2.1 percent to 1.6 percent.