U.S. Secretary of Labor Launches Drug-Free Work Week 2008
Press Release
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced the start of Drug-Free Work Week 2008, which begins today and will run through Oct. 26. Now in its third year, this annual campaign promotes the importance of being drug-free as a key component to keeping workplaces safe and healthy. This observance is a collaborative effort among the department, members of its Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, and other public and private sector organizations devoted to safe and healthy workplaces.
"Workers with substance abuse problems potentially endanger themselves and their co-workers; that's why it's important to promote a drug-free workplace and programs to get help to those who need it, for the sake of everyone's safety!" said Secretary Chao.
According to the recently released 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who abuse alcohol and drugs are employed, making substance abuse an issue that employers and employees cannot afford to ignore. Of the estimated 17.4 million illicit drug users age 18 or older, 13.1 million (75.3 percent) were employed full or part time. Of those adults with substance dependence or abuse (20.4 million), the majority was employed full time in 2007 (12.3 million).
Drug-Free Work Week helps educate employers and employees about steps they can take to prevent worker alcohol and drug abuse and its negative consequences, which include not only safety concerns, but also problems such as decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. As part of the effort, the department's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program is distributing a variety of educational materials, such as fact sheets, "toolbox talks" for foremen at construction sites, and posters and stickers with the slogan "working drug-free works."
Employers and employees in all industries can access these resources and learn more about how to participate in Drug-Free Work Week and promote drug-free workplace messages during the campaign and throughout the year by visiting www.dol.gov/drugfreeworkweek.
Source