DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE IN THE WORKPLACE

According to federal health officials, drug and alcohol abuse is a
major problem in the workplace. About 68% of illegal-drug users are
employed either full time or part time, the National Institute on Drug
Abuse estimates. One out of every 10 people in the United States has
an alcohol problem, officials said.

Some basic facts:

* Workers who abuse alcohol and drugs are far less productive, miss
more workdays, are more likely to injure themselves or someone else,
and file more workers' compensation claims, according to federal officials.

* Employers can't absorb all these costs, which are passed on to
employees through higher insurance premiums and reduced salaries or
benefit packages, and to consumers through higher-priced products.

* Hidden costs include damage to equipment, drains on supervisory time
and stress to others who continually fill in for absent or tardy co-workers.

Signs of substance abuse include:

* Frequent tardiness or absenteeism. * Abrupt changes in mood or
attitude. * Frequent complaints of not feeling well. * Poor
relationships with co-workers. * Uncharacteristic errors in judgment,
poor concentration. * Unusual flare-ups of temper. * Deterioration of
personal appearance and hygiene. * Repeated or unusual accidents. *
Deteriorating job performance. * Borrowing money from co-workers or
frequently requesting advances on paychecks. * Using a company credit
card for personal business.

Treatment can be successful in helping people with serious addiction
problems. After treatment, recovering addicts are less likely to be
involved in crime and more likely to improve job performance.

PHONE HELP Some helpful phone numbers:
Hotline (800) BE SOBER
Alcoholics Anonymous (714) 556-4555
Adult Children of Alcoholics (714) 549-5733
Drug Use Is Life Abuse (714) 647-4593
Marijuana Anonymous (714) 999-9409

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse.