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Drug Use in the Workplace

Drug Use in the Workplace. Lecture 7. What to Expect in This Lecture. Nature and Prevalence of Drug Use in the Workplace Work Conditions and Drug Use Occupational Contexts of Drug Use: Four Case Studies Medical Profession Military Sports Law Enforcement

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Drug Use in the Workplace

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  1. Drug Use in the Workplace Lecture 7

  2. What to Expect in This Lecture • Nature and Prevalence of Drug Use in the Workplace • Work Conditions and Drug Use • Occupational Contexts of Drug Use: Four Case Studies • Medical Profession • Military • Sports • Law Enforcement • Societal Reaction to Drug Use in the Workplace

  3. Nature and Prevalence of Drug Use in the Workplace • Data for drug use in the workplace comes from the National Household Survey • Asks questions on employment status • Occupational sectors in which workers are employed • Common perception of drug use (especially illicit drug use) is the street user: • Criminal • Homeless • Without legitimate employment • Reality is that most drug users are employed:

  4. Percent of 1997 Alcohol and Drug Users Employed: Full Time Part Time Unemployed

  5. Percent of Labor Force Aged 18-49 Currently Involved in: Illicit Drug Use Heavy Alcohol Use

  6. Work Conditions and Drug Use • Researchers generally distinguish between workplace characteristics and workforce characteristics • Workplace characteristics refer to factors such as • size of workplace • levels of workplace stress • supervisor support • type of occupation • Workforce characteristics refer to features of individuals comprising the workforce, including: • marital status • previous criminal/delinquent involvement • education • race/ethnicity

  7. Workplace Characteristics and Drug Use • Size of workplace • Generally, the smaller the workplace, the greater likelihood of illicit drug use • Trend is almost reversed for heavy alcohol use • Occupation type • Food preparation industry has highest levels of drug and alcohol use • Blue collar workers tend to have higher rates than white collar workers • Other workplace factors related include: • Levels of job satisfaction • Levels of job stress • Alienation and sense of powerlessness • Culture tolerant of drug/alcohol use

  8. Workforce Characteristics and Drug Use • Prior involvement in drug use and/or delinquency is highly related to drug use in workplace • Demographics of workforce characteristics • Younger workers more likely to use drugs • Males more likely to use than females • Whites more likely to use than minorities • These demographics tend to reflect the demographics of drug use generally

  9. Occupational Contexts of Drug Use:Medical Profession • Why the medical profession is an important context to understand drug use • Ready availability of drugs to medical personnel • Potentially catastrophic consequences of drug use • Occupational categories in medicine that have been studied: • Physicians • Dentists • Nurses • Veterinarians • Pharmacists • Medical/Nursing Students • How medical personnel obtain drugs: • Stealing from hospital pharmacies • Falsely prescribing drugs from patients and diverting • Diverting drugs legitimately prescribed to patients • Appealing to pharmacists for “emergency” drugs

  10. Patterns of Drug Use Among Medical Personnel • Early studies (1960-1970) • Reported excessively high rates of use and addiction—about 1 addict for every 100 physicians • Most physician drug use was for self-medication • Typically involved the use of narcotics and depressants • Studies of medical students during this period revealed heavy use of stimulants • Second wave research (1970-1990) • Revealed greater levels of recreational drug use • Marijuana was used in greater levels by both physicians and students • Third wave research (1990-present) • Suggesting much lower prevalence among physicians • Nurses more likely to use alcohol and illicit drugs than physicians • Differences across medical specialties:

  11. Explaining Drug Use by Medical Personnel • Explanations are based on the premise that medical personnel have higher than normal rates of drug use (called into question in last 10 years) • Two complementary explanations: • Stress Hypothesis • Availability Hypothesis

  12. Occupational Contexts of Drug Use:The Military • Tobacco and alcohol use have always been a part of military culture • The military did not take much note of illicit drug use until the Vietnam War • Since Vietnam, military has aggressively addressed illicit drug use, primarily through drug testing

  13. Patterns of Drug Use in the Military • Evidence suggests that drug testing has been effective • Variation across the 4 branches • Explanations for levels of drug use in military • Drug use should be higher because of stress levels • Drug use should be lower because of zero tolerance policies

  14. Occupational Contexts of Drug Use:“Doping” in Sports • “Doping” refers to use of drugs by athletes to improve athletic performance • Types of drugs by athletes: • Restorative drugs—used to facilitate healing from injuries or reduce pain from injuries • Additive drugs (ergogenic aids)—used to enhance athletic performance • Recreational drugs

  15. Drug Policy in Sports • Major differences between professional and amateur sports • Professional Sports • Comparatively few regulations because of lobbying of players unions • Patchwork of rules which are governed by each sport • Most drug bans are street recreational drugs • Primary reason for these bans is to insure a positive image and role model • Rather than being banned from sports, most violators are provided help through EAPs • Amateur Sports • Policy governed by two bodies: NCAA and IOC • These organizations list numerous banned drugs applicable to all sports under their jurisdiction • Purpose of these rules is to provide a level playing field and provide fairness in competition

  16. Occupational Contexts of Drug Use:Law Enforcement • By most estimates, law enforcement has significantly higher rates of alcoholism than the general population • Factors accounting for these rates: • Stress • Occupational subculture

  17. Societal Reaction to Drug Use in the Workplace • Pre-1970 • Drug and alcohol use often ignored • Any attention was usually punitive • Current response: • Drug Testing • Employee Assistance Programs

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