FACTS

Key Hazards and Risks Associated with Drug and Alcohol Policies

1. Enforcement Challenges: Implementing a drug and alcohol-free policy in landscaping can be challenging due to the dispersed nature of the work and the difficulty of consistent monitoring across multiple sites.
2. Workplace Tension: Strict enforcement can create tension or mistrust between employees and management, particularly if workers feel they are being unfairly targeted or monitored.
3. Reduced Workforce: Random testing and zero-tolerance policies may lead to the loss of skilled workers who fail tests, which can be particularly challenging during peak seasons when labor is in high demand.
4. Safety Risks from Withdrawal: Workers undergoing withdrawal from substances may experience physical or psychological symptoms that impair their ability to safely operate machinery or perform physically demanding tasks.
5. Increased Stress: A zero-tolerance policy might increase stress among workers who fear job loss due to testing, which can negatively impact their overall well-being and job performance.
6. Legal and Ethical Concerns: Employers must navigate legal complexities around drug and alcohol testing, including respecting workers’ rights and ensuring that testing procedures are fair and transparent.

STATS

• Approximately 70% of illicit drug users and 80% of heavy alcohol users are employed.
• Employees who abuse drugs are 3.5 times more likely to have an accident on the job and five times more likely to have an off-the-job accident that could impact workplace performance.
• The abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs costs the USA over $740 billion annually in lost productivity, crime, and healthcare costs.
• The (NSC) in the USA reports that workers who misuse drugs or alcohol are 2.7 times more likely to have workplace accidents and 5 times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim.
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) emphasizes the role of policies in improving workplace safety, although direct statistics on injuries linked to policy implementation are not provided.
• Research has shown that implementing drug and alcohol-free workplace policies can lead to a reduction in workplace accidents. A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that businesses with drug-testing programs reported a 51% reduction in workplace injuries within two years of implementation.
• The NSC also reports that employees who abuse drugs are 10 times more likely to miss work and are 33% less productive, which can indirectly lead to increased workplace hazards and injuries due to overworked and stressed colleagues compensating for the absenteeism.