Alcohol and Drugs in the workplace .

Illegal drug use by the population is on the increase. Many workplaces will contain people who take drugs either overtly or covertly. This has a direct impact upon performance and productivity. Absenteeism from sickness or accidents, (at work or at home), due to drug use increases to 60% for drug users. 47% of people will terminate their employment voluntarily thereby increasing re-employment and training costs.

40% of the workforce under 40 have experimented with illegal drugs

45% of those aged between 16 and 29 years have experimented with illegal drugs

30% of people seeking help for their drug problems are in employment

75% of alcohol dependants are in employed work

British industry loses nearly £9 billion per year through work absence from drug and alcohol abuse

Illegal drugs are not the only source of impairment in the workplace. Employers should also consider the use of Over the Counter (OTC) drugs which many cause impairment and precribed drugs, which if taken in abused quanities may also impair a persons ability to perform adequately at work

Drug use and Driving

In the last few years there has been an increase in the use of drugs whilst driving. The majority of this use is among the younger population 18 - 30yrs. Many users believe that driving under the influence of drugs makes them safer than driving under the influence of alcohol.

1 in 3 drivers who test under the alcohol limit test positive for drugs

18% of drivers involved in fatal traffic collisions test positive for drugs other than alcohol

22% of passengers involved in fatal traffic collisions test positive for drugs other than alcohol

There is a misconception that drug driving is not detectable - WRONG. Driving whilst unfit through drugs can be detected by suitably trained police officers and the penalties are the same for drink driving

Alcohol and Cannabis is the most common drug detected in drivers

Research shows that Cannabis affects the ability to drive properly because its slows down your reactions

Driving on 'Speed' or Cocaine does not make you a better driver, you simply make more mistakes and put your passengers and everyone else at risk

If is say's 'DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY' on the medication, then don't - It's put there for a reason!

Drug use and school children

Drug use in schools is a growing problem, Research has shown that many school children ranging from 11 - 18yrs use, or have experimented with, drugs on a regular basis.

29% of 15 - 24yr olds have taken drugs

13% of 11 - 15yr olds took Cannabis last year

15% of 12 - 16yr olds use Solvents

6% of 11 years olds use a solvent regulalry

10% of 18 yr olds used Cocaine last month

15% of 18 yr olds used Ecstasy last month

The lifetime prevalence of illegal drug use among the school populus is 27% and 12% per month

Research into drug use in the workplace, whilst driving and in schools continues and while some reports show that drug use in the Uk has stabalised in some areas, the use of Class A drugs has increased, most notably Cocaine.