TIP OF THE WEEK

September 18, 2006

Did you know...?

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Impairment from drug or alcohol use can constitute an avoidable workplace hazard. Drug-free workplace programs can help improve worker safety and health and add value to American businesses.

In order to promote substance abuse prevention, early intervention, and health care in the workplace, it is important to understand the extent of substance use among US workers. Workers with alcohol problems were 2.7 times more likely than workers without drinking problems to have injury-related absences. Further research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of the nation's workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs. The most current reports on substance use show that 8.1 percent of workers in the US use, abuse or have dependence on alcohol or illicit drugs. The majority of drug users are employed. Of the 16.7 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2003, 12.4 million (74.3 percent) were employed either full or part time.

Alcohol and drug use impacts business in many ways including:

increased use of worker's compensation and disability benefits
accidents and damage
increased worker turnover and replacement costs
diverted supervisory, managerial and coworker time
friction among workers
damage to a company's reputation
increased liability
theft and fraud

It pays for businesses to have prevention, intervention and treatment information for their employees, because alcohol and drug abuse affects an employer's bottom line. Productivity losses attributed to alcohol were estimated to be greater than $119 billion. Employers with success in preventing and treating alcohol and drug problems sponsor a range of employee resources and programs. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) usually train supervisors on how to recognize substance abuse problems among their workforce and how to refer employees to the EAP. The EAP, in turn, can provide confidential assistance and link the worker to appropriate resources.

A recent study showed that almost 48 percent of full-time workers aged 18 to 49 (almost 42 million workers) were aware of substance use testing at their workplaces. Operators, fabricators, and laborers (69 percent) were more likely, and workers in professional specialty occupations (36 percent) were less likely, than those in other occupations to be aware of substance use testing at their workplace. About 53 percent of full-time workers aged 18 to 49 (more than 46 million workers) were aware of access to employee assistance programs for substance abuse through their workplace.

Addiction to alcohol and other drugs can be successfully treated. Many people in recovery lead successful, productive lives, contributing positively to their communities. Most are in the workforce, and in many cases are reliable, dedicated employees who attach special meaning and value to their jobs.

For more information about drug testing programs and a drug free workplace point your browser to: http://dwp.samhsa.gov/index.aspx.

To learn more about how OHS-COMPCARE contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.

*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*

OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:

Blue Springs Clinical Facility	Independence Clinical Facility	Johnson County Clinical Facility	St. Joseph Clinical Facility
801 NW St. Mary’s Drive	17020 East 40 Highway	10415 Lackman Road	904 Edmond Street
Blue Springs, MO 64104	Independence, MO 64055	Lenexa, KS 66219	St. Joseph, MO 64501
816-224-9121	816-478-9299	913-495-9905	816-233-7702
	*New Extended Hours*

KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility	KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility	Wyandotte County Clinical Facility	Grandview Clinical Facility *now open*
1650 Broadway	6501 East Commerce, Suite 110	1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200	13830 S Us Highway 71
Kansas City, MO 64108	Kansas City, MO 64120	Kansas City, KS 66102	Grandview, MO 64030
816-842-2020	816-483-5550	913-596-2774	816-761-4664