Under the influence
UNDER THE INFLUENCE:
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Statistics
 More than 6 percent of the population over 12 years
of age (13.9 million people) has used drugs within
the past thirty days. Rates of use remain highest
among persons aged 16 to 25–the age group entering
the work force most rapidly.
Statistics
 More than 14 percent of Americans employed full-
and part-time report heavy drinking,
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Five or more drinks on five or more days in the past 30 days.
Of the 11.2 million heavy drinkers in 1997, 30 percent (3.3
million) also were current illicit drug users.
Occupational Statistics - Alcohol
 The occupational categories with above-average rates
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of heavy alcohol use:
construction(15.7%)
machine operators and inspectors (13.5%),
transportation and material movers (13.1%),
precision production and repair workers (13.1%)
food preparation, including wait staff and bartenders
(12.2%)
Occupational Statistics – Illicit Drugs
 Construction workers (15.6%)
 Sales personnel (11.4%)
 Food preparation, wait staff, and bartenders (11.2%),
 Material handlers, helpers, and laborers (10.6%,)
 Machine operators and inspectors (10.5%)
 Protective service workers reported the lowest rate of
current drug use (3.2%).4
Statistics
 73% all current drug users aged 18 and older (8.3
million adults) were employed in 1997.
Statistics
 More than 60% of adults know people who have
gone to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
*According to a national survey conducted by the Hazelden Foundation,
Work-related Signs
 frequent disappearances from the work site
 work performance that alternates between high and
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low productivity
poor job performance
abnormal fluctuations in concentration and energy
dishonesty and theft (arising from the need to
maintain an expensive habit).
poor attendance
multiple accidents
Personal Signs
 progressive deterioration
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in personal appearance
sudden mood changes
a tendency to become confused
unusual irritability or aggression
a deterioration in relationships with colleagues,
customers, or management
Legal Warning
 All the signs shown above may be caused by
other factors, such as stress, mental health
issues, medical conditions or side effects to
legally prescribe medications
Terminations for other reasons
 Employees who use drugs and alcohol on a
consistent basis might be able to hide the physical
effects of their use.
 Absenteeism, poor performance, and work-related
confrontations
 They are usually terminated or reasons other than
those of direct drug use
Business Reasons
 Keep your managerial actions based on business
reasons, not suspicions or hear say
 Don’t ignore or fail to look further based on warning
signs or hear say
Specific Incident
 Supervisors and Managers may send home, pending an investigation, an
employee who is a danger to themselves or others, at anytime.
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Possible under the influence:
smell of alcohol
slurring speech
red eyes
abnormal pupils
actions are erratic, violent, threatening
unable to perform their duties safely
 Get a second supervisor or manager to verify that they also observed
these things. Do not involve non-supervisory employees.
 Attendance or performance problems are usually less subjective and do
not required verification.
 Contact University Police if needed
Sending Home
 After the investigation, it will be determined if the
suspension is with pay or without and if documentation
is place in their file or terminations.
 If you are sending someone home that appears unable to
drive, please offer to call someone to pick them up or call
a cab.
 ASC, supervisors, and managers may be personally (your
bank account) liable, if you do not take some steps to
prevent this person from injuring someone else because
they are impaired behind the wheel of a vehicle. The cost
of a cab ride is worth avoiding the risk.
What would you do?
1. You come upon an employee who is
disoriented and smells of alcohol.
2. Employees tell you that other employees are using
or selling drugs in the work facility.
3. You see one of your drivers at an area restaurant
during the workday having a beer with friends at
lunch.