Drug-induced impairment: Implications for employers.

Abstract

Performance decrement due to drug-induced impairment costs government and industry an estimated $117-120 billion annually (Spicer & Owen, 1985). Employers have responded by increasing the use of drug testing, yet these tests do not detect dependency or impairment, and cannot assess performance decrement. The rationale for drug testing seems to be that where there is drug use, there is usually impairment and performance decrement. However, employers need only be concerned with performance decrement, and effective supervision may be the only viable method for identifying and documenting performance decrement. An Employee Assistance Program should also be considered as part of a complete approach to dealing effectively with drug abuse in the workplace.Drug-induced impairment is a complex and well-documented problem in today's workplace, manifesting itself in a broad range of cognitive, psychological, psychomotor, and social performance areas. Impairment canjresult in lowered productivity, high turnover, and increased accident rates costing businesses and government an average of up to one fourth of each impaired worker's annual salary ("Alcohol," 1985). It is estimated that lost productivity alone costs up to $100 billion annually (Spicer &. Owen, 1985).