In 2007, an estimated 19.9 million Americans were current drug users. About 8% are still addicts today.  There are 23.3% of the population age 12 and over that are binge drinkers and 6.9% are heavy drinkers. Among adults age 50-59 were 2.7% up to 5.0% drug addicts. 22.3 million people (9.0% age 12 and over) were classified with substance dependance or abuse in the past year. Of this amount, 17.4 million (75.3%) were employed. Of the 53.3 million adult binge drinkers, 44.0 million (79.4%) were employed. 16.4 million reported heavy use, 13.1 million (79.6%) were employed from the adults with substance abuse/dependence, of these 12.3 million (60.4%) were employed full time.

The major industry groups with the highest prevalence of illicit drug use were in the food services and construction areas. The lowest were the utilities industry, educational services, and public administration areas. There were about 16.9% of workers in food service and industry, 13.7% in construction that reported illicit drug use in the past month. In contrast, 2.8% of community and social service workers reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.

Furthermore, the impact of employee substance and abuse is a problem that extends beyond the substance… using the employee. There have been reports of workers being placed in danger, been injured, re-doing work, or having to cover for co-worker due to co-worker’s substance abuse. This will definitely cause a negative affect on performance and attitudes of all workers.

Group:  Pete, Tabetha, Thomas, Denise