Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
MICHAEL TUCKER, executive director of the National Council on Drug Abuse is urging employers to move swiftly to deal with the problem of drug abuse in the workplace.
According to him, drug and alcohol abuse at the workplace has been traditionally met with a dismissive attitude. But, while speaking at yesterday's Rotary Club of Kingston's weekly luncheon, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, he noted that the problem was a serious one, and cannot be swept under the carpet.
"In today's globalised economy with its emphasis on rapid reaction ... it is easy to see that ignoring workplace substance abuse problems, and absorbing their costs, is not a viable option," Mr. Tucker asserted.
ABSENTEEISM
He added that drug and alcohol abuse did not only affect work performance in general, but also resulted in higher rates of absenteeism and accidents and their related costs.
Mr. Tucker said studies have shown that absenteeism is two or three times higher for drug and alcohol users than other employees.
The executive director also said that, in many workplaces, 20 to 25 per cent of accidents involve intoxicated people injuring themselves and innocent victims.
He told Rotarians that drug and alcohol abuse cannot be isolated from the workplace, because many problem drinkers and drug takers work, and the workplace is typically a reflection of the community in which the workers live.
"The workplace is therefore a significant channel for preventative and remedial action, with the potential to reach an extremely high proportion of workers with alcohol problems and drug users," he said.
A survey conducted by the National Council on Drug Abuse in 2002 revealed that:
5.9 per cent or 92,800 of Jamaicans have alcohol related problems.
7.9 per cent or 124,000 Jamaicans have drug related problems
11.9 per cent or 187,100 Jamaicans either have alcohol or drug related problems or both.
Of the 187,000 who needed treatment, 42,000 were between the ages of 18 and 24.
