Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Workers continue to use drugs on the job
By Staff Writer
In 2009, an estimated 21.8 million Americans age 12 and older had used illicit drugs in the month prior to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Strict testing requirements at companies reveal that a number of working Americans use drugs while on the job, CNN reported. The use of substances such as heroin and prescription painkillers during work hours may be due to several factors.
This data is based off of 350,000 random drug tests conducted by Quest Diagnostics, an employer drug testing business. Individuals in this sample work as pilots, airplane mechanics and train operators, which can all have a direct impact on public safety.
Though small, .04 percent of workers were using heroin between January and June 2010, which is twice as many employees as were previously believed to be abusing the drug. These results are based on new methods of drug testing, which rely on oral fluid as opposed to urine samples.
According to a report by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, stress in the workplace, longer hours and job insecurity can all play a role in increased substance abuse.
In response to this problem, a number of employers allow individuals to receive substance abuse help through employee assistance programs.
