Statistics indicate that drug use is increasing in colleges and high schools all over America.  This is an alarming trend for businesses, because among the field of applicants, it is going to get harder and harder to find individuals who can come to work drug-free.  Drug use is not a “personal” choice for an employee.  An addiction decreases an employee’s productivity level, and increases absenteeism, accidents, theft, workers’ compensation and medical expenses.  The Department of Labor estimates that each substance abuser will cost his employer an average of $11,000 per year.1

Unfortunately, while 48 percent of workers report that they have seen people using drugs at work, the majority indicate they would not report it.2  That trend makes a workplace Drug Prevention Program necessary.  The inconveniences and liabilities of conducting these programs are one of many reasons businesses are turning to Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) for help. 

A PEO can provide the following benefits to employers interested in implementing a Drug Prevention program:

• A written substance abuse policy
• An employee education
• Managers’ Training
• A federally approved drug testing program

Contact a PEO today for more information about implementing or improving your company’s Drug Prevention Program.  70% of all drug abusers are employed.  Are they working for you?

Savings worksheet: 

(Statistically, an average of 10% of your employees will be substance abusers).

# of employees working for your organization _________

divided by 10% X .10    __________

multiplied by $11,000 X $11,000 _________

=Total you could save annually by implementing A drug-testing program

Sources:
1.  Sackville, Richard J. “Establishing a Drug Prevention Program in the Workplace.”  PEO Insider.
2.“Substance Abuse Costing Employers $75 Billion Yearly.”  In HR Wire.