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What is a Drug-Free Workplace?
A drug-free workplace is a workplace free of the health, safety and productivity hazards caused by employees’ abuse of alcohol or drugs. Substance use in the workplace includes alcohol and drug use on the job or drug selling on work premises. However, the substance use does not need to actually occur on the job in order for the workplace to be affected. Employees at any level who miss work due to the effects of substance use on their own time, or who come to work impaired contribute to a workplace that has to deal with the effects of substance use.

To achieve a drug-free workplace, many employers develop drug-free workplace programs.
A comprehensive program includes these five components:
  • a drug-free workplace policy
  • supervisor training
  • employee education
  • employee assistance
  • drug testing

    • Benefits to business
    Improves a company's bottom line by reducing the impact of substance abuse
  • increases productivity
  • decreases accidents, turnover, absenteeism, healthcare costs, employee theft, workplace violence
  • benefits of premium discounts

    • Reduces worker's compensation costs
  • fewer accidents, lost workdays, fraudulent or exaggerated claims
  • lower claims
  • heightens safety awareness throughout the company

    • Benefits to the employee
    Creates a safer working environment
  • fewer accidents caused by co-workers who are under the influence of substances
  • less risk of exposure to drug dealing
  • reduced likelihood of co-worker theft
  • improved morale, more enjoyable working environment
  • reduced need to cover an absent co-worker's responsibilities
  • family members may be able to access resources
  • employees may be more motivated and receive more support for treatment in drug-free workplace environments

    • For more information
    Denver: 303.369.0039 x211
    Toll-free: 866.369.0039 x211

    How alcohol and drug use affect business
  • Alcohol is the most widely abused drug among working adults. An estimated 6.2 percent of adults working full time are heavy drinkers.
  • Individuals who are current heavy alcohol users are more likey than those who are not to have skipped one or more work days in the past month.
  • Up to 40 percent of industrial fatalities and 47 percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.
  • The vast majority of current illicit drug users in the U.S. are employed. Of 12.3 million adult current illicit drug useres, 9.4 million work.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly 81 billion dollars in lost productivity in just one year—37 billion due to premature death and 44 billion due to illness. Of these combined costs, 86 percent are attributed to drinking.
  • Heavy drinking correlates strongly with illicit drug use. Of 12.4 million heavy drinkers, 30.5 percent are also current illicit drug users.

    • What is the Drug-Free Workplace Act?
    The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires some Federal contractors and all Federal grantees to agree they will provide drug-free workplaces as a precondition of receiving a contract or grant. All organizations covered are required to take certain steps, such as publishing and providing a drug-free workplace policy statement to all covered employees and establishing a drug-free employee awareness program. There are also notification requirements regarding if an employee is convicted of a criminal drug violation in the workplace. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 does not require drug testing. To determine how the requirements may affect your business, visit the Working Partners Website, Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988.

    Links
    Supervisor and employee training
    Sample Drug-Free Workplace Policy
    Alcohol Cost Calculator for Business
    Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
    Colorado Department of Labor
    Drug Enforcement Administration
    Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems
    Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace
    Norchem Drug Testing
    Office of National Drug Control Policy
    Small Business Administration
    Drug-Free Workplace Advisor Program Builder
    Make a Referral