DRUG and alcohol abuse in the workplace is a much larger problem than most Jamaicans know, says Michael Tucker, executive director of the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA).

Speaking at the Rotary Club of Kingston’s weekly meeting on Thursday, Tucker said that drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace had not received the necessary attention because of the stigma attached to it.

Citing recent studies done on the topic, Tucker noted that drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace could be detrimental not only to the individual’s job performance, but also to the company’s productivity.

The studies found that:

. Absenteeism was two or three times higher for drug and alcohol users than for other employees;

. employees with chemical dependence problems may claim three times as many sickness benefits and file five times as many workers compensation claims.

. In many workplaces, 20-25 per cent of accidents at work involve intoxicated people injuring themselves and innocent victims; and

. on the job supplies of drugs and alcohol account for 15-30 per cent of all accidents at work.

Studies cited also showed that substance-abusing employees may:

. become violent;

. steal from the company;

. cost the company money through impaired decisions;

. be open to blackmail and bribery; and

. sell drugs and/or influence other employees to use drugs.

Tucker pointed out that workers in sectors such as the food and catering industry, transportation, the maritime sector, construction, assembly line workers, military personnel and recreation and entertainment services were at greater risk for substance abuse. However, this problem, he emphasised, was not limited to lower grade workers, as high consumption rates had been found among company directors, lawyers, police officers and doctors.

Tucker also noted that moderate/occasional alcohol-drinking employees were at risk. “In collective terms, simply because their numbers are much higher, moderate and occasional drinkers account for the largest proportion of alcohol-related problems in the workplace,” he explained.

He said more companies should take steps to assist workers with substance abuse problems. “The workplace is a very significant channel for preventative and remedial action, with the potential to reach an extremely high proportion of workers with alcohol problems and drug users, as well as members of their families.

The workplace can therefore be a vital component of community programmes to change attitudes towards the consumption of alcohol and drugs,” he added.

Tucker urged employers to pay close attention to substance abuse in the workplace. Among several recommendations he made to employers for approaching substance abuse in the workplace were:

. Paying attention to the warning signs of drug abuse by employees.

. Not letting the fear of exposing a drug problem within the company stop the enforcement of action against drug abuse.

. Not allowing friendship with the employee to impede intervention.

. Taking action with substance abusers such as talking with them or sanctioning them as the rate of recovery is highest when employers take action with employees.

. Knowing what network of support the company offers a troubled employee.

During the function, the club donated a wheelchair to two people, Rev Roy Wedderburn and Errol Shand.