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08/09/2007 Drug-Free Work Week is October 14 - 20
The Department of Labor has announced that the annual Drug Free-Work Week will be celebrated throughout the nation from October 14 - 20. Drug Free Work Week is the perfect way to highlight that a drug-free workplace is key to protecting workplace safety and health. Employers and workers across the nation are encouraged to participate in this important event. The week also serves as a way to encourage those with drug and alcohol problems to seek help.
According to the DOL, “the true spirit of Drug-Free Work Week lies in activities conducted by individual employers and their employees.” The DOL also reminds workers and employers that although Drug-Free Work Week is a dedicated time each year to place special emphasis on the importance of working drug free, in a safe and healthy workplace, every week is Drug-Free Work Week. The DOL is encouraging both, individual employers and employees as well as business, trade and professional associations to take part in the week.
The DOL has posted several ideas on how to observe the week on its website, http://www.dol.gov. The activities can be used to make people aware of the importance of being drug free. Ideas range from simple to comprehensive, but all help promote safer, healthier workplaces and represent wise business practices that can be implemented at any time of the year.
A recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office SAMHSA of the Department of Health and Human Services HHS found that more than eight percent of full-time employees used illicit drugs in the past month. The study also found that current illicit drug users were less likely than non-users to report working for employers who conducted pre-hire drug or alcohol tests. The study stated that 48.8% of full-time employees reported their company having a drug testing program.
Statistics find that employees who use controlled substances are 33% less productive, 500% more likely to be involved in an on-the-job accident, 500% more likely to file a worker's compensation claim, 250% more likely to have an absence exceeding eight days, significantly more likely to be involved in employee theft and 360% more likely to injure themselves or another person in the workplace.
Ideas for business, trade and professional associations to celebrate Drug Free Work Week include featuring Drug Free Work Week in your magazine or newsletter, sending a “President’s Message” that deals with Drug Free Work Week and hosting a “brown-bag lunch” webcast or teleconference. More ideas are available online. Drug Free Work Week is coordinated with the Drug-Free Alliance and other government agencies, non-profit organizations, private companies and other organizations nation-wide. To learn more about Drug Free Work Week, or to get some more ideas about how your organization can participate, visit the DOL Web site at www.dol.gov and follow the link under the "Highlights" section to National Drug-Free Work Week.
Foley Services offers a number of products and services that can help your organization implement a Drug-Free Workplace Program. In addition to informational material, including videos, and brochures, we can customize your Drug-Free Workplace Program for you. To learn more about our services, call 1-800-253-5506 x 708. |
