WORKPLACE DRUG ABUSE HIGHLIGHTED

Substance abuse in the workplace costs the province's economy $1.6 billion
a year -- and employers need to get on board to help fight it, a Calgary
MLA said yesterday.

"Substance abuse in the workplace is a serious issue and it's one we need
to take a look at," Calgary Shaw MLA Cindy Ady told businesspeople at a
Calgary Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

In lost time alone, substance abuse costs $400 million a year, Ady said.
"In Alberta, we know we also have some major problems with workplace
injuries, and you wonder how many of these can be tied back to alcohol and
drug abuse."

Ady said using professional counsellors and employee assistance programs
are part of having a "zero-tolerance" policy in the workplace for substance
abuse.

The energy sector sends the most people to AADAC's Business and Industry
Clinic, said Bill Bell, director of residential services for the Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

Twenty-one per cent of the Grande Prairie clinic's clients are from the
energy industry, with manufacturing, sales and service jobs making up 18%
of their clients.

Alcohol is the primary substance abused by 74% of clients, with cocaine
second at 17%.

"It's not just the individual using the substance affected," Bell said.

"Family members of alcoholics and substance abusers tend to use more sick
days themselves, and have higher insurance and health benefit claims."

A 1991 study showed one-in-20 people had consumed alcohol on the job in the
last month.