How much of a problem is drug and alcohol abuse at work?

Workplaces reflect local communities. Because drug and alcohol abuse are significant social problems, they are also workplace issues. Up to 45% of young workers (16-29 year-olds) and 40% of workers under 40 have experimented with illegal drugs. A survey by DrugScope and Alcohol Concern found that:

• 27% of employers say drug misuse is a problem at work
• 60% have experienced problems due to staff drinking alcohol

In another survey, 90% of personnel directors said alcohol was a problem, albeit a minor one, in their organisation, but 17% said it was a major problem for their organisation.

Up to 14.8 million working days – between 3% and 5% of all absences – are lost each year due to alcohol. Sickness absence due to alcohol is estimated to cost the UK economy over £1.9 billion a year.