PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-USE ON THE JOB - CAUSE FOR CONCERN OR IRRATIONAL HYSTERIA

There is widespread fear, concern, and apprehension regarding the prob lems associated with alcohol and other drug abuse in the workplace. Se rious tragedies caused by drug use on the job, such as the Exxon Valde z, have created an hysteria that such behavior is common and that into xicated employees are pervasive in the workforce. While there are few doubts that using drugs in the workplace may have serious consequences , the true extent of such behavior is poorly documented. Prevalence da ta for drug use on the job are found in three sources: perceptions of supervisors and employers; reports of such behavior from those in trea tment for drug abuse; and general community or workforce surveys. The first two sources of data confirm the hysteria that drug abuse on the job is rampant and out of control. However, these estimates are biased and untrustworthy. In general population surveys, a wide range of est imates are found, although most report the prevalence of drug use on t he job at 10% or less; being high on the job occurs more often, but re gular use of drugs in the workplace is quite rare. Therefore, the gene ral hysteria regarding the presumed pervasive abuse of drugs on the jo b is unfounded, although any abuse of drugs in the workplace by those in sensitive positions can have grave and deadly consequences.