Abuse Can Cost You!

Substance abuse drains more than $100 billion dollars from American businesses every year.

Drug abuse related injuries, on and off the job, cost employers about $200 billion dollars per year.

38% to 50% of all workers compensation claims are related to substance abuse in the work place.

Substance abusers incur 300% higher medical costs than non-abusers and are absent from work
3 or more weeks per year.

American companies employ 12.8 million illicit drug users.

How many abusers work for you?

Is your business a victim?

If you DO NOT have a drug testing policy in place the answer may be, YES!  Your business will attract applicants who may use drugs! They need a job; you need an employee. What a great opportunity for them. 

The word will get out that your company is NOT a drug free work place. Individuals with alcohol or other drug problems tend to apply and be hired at businesses that don’t have a drug screen program in place.

Why random testing is so important!

Having an addiction does not always mean that users can’t stop long enough to get a job. It means that they need a job and will do what ever they can to convince you, how important they are. Then you hire them, and then they go back to their old addiction(s).

Benefits of Implementing a Drug Free Workplace (source: US Dept. of Labor)

• After implementing a comprehensive drug-free workplace program in response to a workers compensation claim, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors in Florida saved $100,000 on workers compensation premiums in 1990, and also has experienced increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and fewer accidents.

• Only four years after implementing a workplace substance abuse program which included drug testing, Jerry Moland of Turfscape Landscape Care, Inc., in Chandler, AZ, says that his company is saving over $50,000 a year due to increased productivity, fewer accidents, and less absenteeism and turnover.

• The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services conducted a follow-up survey of 668 substance abuse treatment residents one year after completing treatment. Findings indicated that absenteeism decreased by 89 percent, tardiness by 92 percent and on-the-job injuries by 57 percent.

Statistics such as these suggest not only that workplace substance abuse is an issue all employers need to address, but also, that it is an issue that can be successfully prevented. Taking steps to raise awareness among employees about the impact of substance use on workplace performance, and offering the appropriate resources and/or assistance to employees in need, will not only improve worker safety and health, but also increase workplace productivity and market competitiveness.

If you’d like to hear an OREGON success story, call Greg Lundeen at Wolfer’s Heating and Air Conditioning. Greg’s workplace substance abuse program has saved his company thousands of dollars AND has increased productivity, and lowered absenteeism and employee turnover. Greg can be reached at 503-981-4511.

Contributed by ADC Test Clinics, Inc. - October 2007