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Effects of Drug Abuse in the Workplace •

Pilferage and theft


• Employee embezzlement
On the Individual • Risk of “company and
• Shunning away from friends trade secrets” being sold
• Absenteeism to competitors from rival
• Irritability companies or unauthorized
• Frequent borrowing of money persons
• Arriving late for work or early • Decline in worker’s discipline creating
departure from work supervision problems
• Nervousness • Inability to respond well to training
• Resentment • Loss of public trust and confidence bacause of
• Hand Tremors poor quality production and services delivered
• Security threat to the company

On Co-workers
• Increased workload due to PREVENTING DRUG USE AT WORK
covering up of activities for
colleagues • Rules and regulations can help to discourage
• Loss of production drug use at work.
• Other workers will want to just take it easy • Incentives can help prevent drug use and reward
• Growing possibility of accident and injuries employees who voluntarily seek treatment for
resulting from negligence and impared judgement drug problems
• Spread of drug use to co-workers • Sanctions can help discourage
• Spread of disease on co-workers; drug use at work (peer
spread of communicable pressure, loss of privileges,
diseases and infections such as loss of bonuses, demotion or
HIV/AIDS, tetanus, hepatitis, suspension). Dismissal should
tubercolosis and other viral be the last resort.
infections, in the workplace • Prevention programs may include factual
• Continuous covering up will information about drugs and drug abuse, self-
lead to group conflict in the workplace assessment techniques or structured courses for
management and staff.
• Promotion of health and safety measures to
discourage drug use, especially at work.
On the Employer • Promotion of good moral values and spirituality,
• Sickness increases medical costs and health and safety measures to discourage
• Absenteeism reduces output due to loss of drug use at work.
manpower
• Deteriorating working relationships resulting in
industrial relations problems
• Missed deadlines and lost business transactions DANGEROUS DRUGS BOARD (DDB)
or deals due to unsound decisions and impaired 3F DDB-PDEA Bldg., NIA Road
judgement National Government Center
• Excessive time wasted during work breaks East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City
• Decline in the quality of products or services Telephone No: 9297136
• Low quality or substandard products and output TeleFax No.: 9296638
resulting in the misuse of company resources Website: www.ddb.gov.ph
• Damage to property due to accidents Email: info@ddb-ph.com
An employee’s personal problem What is a drug? Characteristics of a
or problems with drugs and alcohol A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, Drug Abuser in the Workplace
have a direct impact on performance, emotional or behavioral change in a person taking it. • Unkept appearance
morale, and company success.
• Lethargy
When are Drugs Harmful? • Deterioration of physical appearance, loss of
weight haggard-looking, etc.
Any drug may be harmful when taken in excess. Some drugs
can also be harmful if taken in dangerous combinations or • General changes in overall personality –
by hypersensitive (allergic) persons in ordinary or even in becoming more aggresive and unable to accept
small amounts. criticisms.
• Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times
(to hide dilated or consticted pupils)
Here are the facts: • Unusual borrowing of money
• Increasing absences from work
M • Absenteeism
• Non adherence to safety regulations resulting to
• Tardiness
O • Injuries to self and others
injuries due to carelessness
• Poor quality of work produced
R • Sick leaves • Reduced output
E • Overtime pay • Reporting sick very often usually with
• Workers’ compensation complaints about flu, colds, sinus problems, etc.
• Disinterested in the job and not motivated to
Less Productivity improve himself through training
• Frequenting odd places, such as
Other Hidden Costs storage rooms, closets,
Are Chemical Products other than Drugs
• Diverted basements, behind staircases,
managerial time
ever abused? without cause
Yes. Substance like glue, paint thinners, gasoline and other • Association with
• Damage to
volatile inhalable (breathable) solvents contain a variety of known drug abusers.
equipment
dangerous chemicals. They should be sold and used with
• Friction among caution.
workers
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is the use of any chemical substance, licit or
illicit, which results in an individual’s physical, mental or
• Poor decisions social impairment.
• Damage to the
company’s public
reputation
• Fast personnel turnover

When you add up all the costs involved when the problem
is ignored, can you afford not to establish a drug and
substance abuse program? How then can you protect your
workers from those, who, through the abuse of drugs
endanger your work place and your profits?

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