» drug testing facts and overview

There is a rapidly increasing awareness of the risks of substance abuse to lives and productivity in the workplace. Employers have a duty of care to ensure a safe working environment for their employees. The statistics only highlight the need for drug testing to ensure a safer, more efficient workplace.

• Drug abusers are significantly more likely to be involved in injuries on the job than non-drug users. (4)
• The probability of having an accident is raised by up to 25% when drug use is a factor. (1)
• Drug abusers are less likely to want to work for companies that have workplace drug testing. (2)
• 50% of fatally injured drivers in Australia have either drugs or alcohol in their system at the time of the accident. (3)

References

(1) Kaestner, R., & Grossman,M., The effect of drug use on workplace accidents, (1998) Labour Economics 5, 267-294.
(2) Hoffman, J., Larison, C., Drugs and the workplace, (1998) NORC University of Chicago publication.
(3) Drummer, O.H., erostamoulos, J., Batziris, H., Chu, M., Caplehorm, J.R.M., Robertson, M.D., Swann, P., The incidence of drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic crashes, (2003) Forensic Science International, 134, 154-162.
(4) MacDonald, S, Wells, S., Lothian, S., Comparison of lifestyle and substance abuse use factors related to accidental injuries at work, home and recreational activities, (1998) Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30:1, 21-27. Table adapted from 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (Australia)