COCAINE USE GROWS ON THE JOB

Number Of Stressed, Affluent Albertans Abusing Drug In Workplace
Continues To Rise

Prosperous, stressed-out Albertans are increasingly abusing cocaine
in the workplace, says an official with the province's drug abuse agency.

As the percentage of its clientele struggling with cocaine continues
to rise, Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) prevention
consultant Ron Beach said the drug's impact at the workplace has also worsened.

"Circumstances are ripe when you have affluence, shift work, people
working alone or far from home," said Beach, adding there's been an
increase in the number of employers seeking AADAC's help in dealing
with cocaine.

"We've been more active in the workplace than we ever have in terms
of training and supervisors." The construction industry, said Beach,
was one of the sectors suffering the most from workplace substance abuse.

The share of AADAC's cocaine clientele across the province in 2006-07
was 33% compared to 29% in 2004-05.

The number in Calgary has reached 32% -- a number 4% higher than two years ago.

Cocaine offences in Alberta rose 12% last year, while those involving
other drugs dropped, states a provincial crime task force.

Beach said workplace substance abuse problems that include cocaine
have provoked a welcome wakeup among employers who have become more
pro-active in combating it.

"They're saying 'how can we support our employees to not only be in
compliance with policy, but also about making healthy choices?' " he said.

"They're looking at the big picture, as in 'how do we get our people
to not test positive?' "

Safety and productivity concerns tied to drug use and gambling are
massive in Alberta, costing $4.4 billion in lost efficiency and
social costs, said Beach. Even so, he said alcohol remains by far
Alberta's biggest substance abuse problem.