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Drug Use, Addiction at Work Continues to Rise

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The use and abuse of drugs in the workplace isn’t slowing down at all. Latest reports indicate the percentage of American workers 73267092 -- drugs at worktesting positive for illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines has increased for the second consecutive year in the general U.S. workforce — putting an end to the decades-long decline.

Indeed, this article references a government report that finds nearly one in 10 full-time workers now has a substance-abuse problem. And the latest Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index shows an upsurge in the positivity rate of drug tests by 9.3 percent — from 4.3 percent in 2013 to 4.7 percent in 2014. (Here is an additional link to the actual tables/stats within the index.)

“American workers are increasingly testing positive for workforce drug use across almost all workforce categories and drug-test-specimen types,” says Dr. Barry Sample, director of science and technology for Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions. “In the past, we have noted increases in prescription-drug-positivity rates, but now, it seems, illicit drug use may be on the rise, according to our data.

“These findings,” says Sample, “are especially concerning because they suggest that the recent focus on illicit marijuana use may be too narrow, and that other dangerous drugs are potentially making a comeback.”

Dr. Robert DuPont, former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says this latest analysis by Quest not only “suggests that illicit drug use among workers is increasing broadly for the first time in years in the United States [but that] public and private employers might want to consider revisiting existing substance-abuse policies to ensure that they are taking the necessary precautions to protect their workplace, employees and businesses.”

Equally concerning is the fact that abuse of legal drugs is also going up, as this news analysis by Andrew McIlvaine addresses. Drugs taken for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder — such as Ritalin, Adderall and Focalin — are now being abused by employees looking to add some sparks to concentration and alertness.

Will Wesch, Novus Medical Detox Center director of admissions, says many organizations are now updating their language in drug-free workplace policies to include potential impairment from a prescription drug. He urges HR practitioners to coach managers in how to engage employees suspected of such abuse and offer reasonable accommodations, up to or including modifying job responsibilities should an employee inform him or her that the medication he or she is on may impair job performance.

As for specific policies, concerns and approaches HR leaders should be considering right now when it comes to all workplace drug use, DuPont has this to offer:

“First, look at the big picture in workplace drug testing. There is much more to workplace drug testing than just testing for marijuana. An effective drug-free program includes testing for many widely used drugs [including prescription]. Second, consider the legal complications of workplace marijuana testing.  For example, several states allowing medical use of marijuana are now requiring an employer to show impairment before taking action against an applicant or employee who tests positive for marijuana. These provisions pose a significant limitation to workplace drug-testing programs for marijuana.

“I also recommend you provide clarity in your drug-free policies. … Every employee must be informed of the company’s substance-use policy and the reasons for the policy. Drug testing needs to be described in a written statement of the employer’s substance-use policy. This policy statement must clearly lay out the elements of the drug-testing program, including who is subject to testing, how testing is administered, how positive results are confirmed and what the consequences are for positive drug-test results. Supervisors and human resource staff should be trained in the employers’ substance-use policies and procedures, and be able to explain them to all employees and job applicants.”

And, again, when it comes to marijuana, DuPont says, “pay close attention to the specifics of state and local law,” obviously and especially in those states where it’s medically or recreationally legal. And make sure your drug-testing policies are being reviewed by attorneys “who are familiar with federal, state and local laws … particularly related to marijuana.”

Yes, folks, it’s a whole new world when it comes to drugs at work. DuPont says it’s time to consider “going beyond the urine cup and … the typical five-drug tests” and embrace the bigger picture now upon us.

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