Study Indicates that the Workplace Can Influence Drinking Habits

From our archives: Previous articles that have some relevance today

Original date: 08/2007

A new study by the University of Texas suggests that companies that actively discourage drinking are less likely to have problematic drinkers as employees.  The study assessed survey results of 5000 employees of Fortune 500 companies.  Employees of businesses that most widely discouraged drinking were:

• 45 percent less likely to drink heavily
• 54 percent less likely to drink frequently
• 69 percent less likely to drink on the job

This research is evidence that the social culture of a company can affect behaviors both in and out of the workplace. For more information on how you can develop a drug-free workplace program for your employees contact Working Partners.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse program, alcohol abuse statistics

Smokeless Country by 2020?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts all states will have smoking bans in restaurants, bars and workplaces by 2020.  Currently, 25 states have such comprehensive indoor smoking bans.

The CDC estimates that almost half of U.S. residents are covered by either state or local laws that prohibit smoking. However, several state have laws in place that are less restrictive, such as mandatory smoking areas or separate ventilation, which the CDC does not consider effective in eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke.

According to the Associated Press, only seven states have no statewide restrictions on indoor smoking: Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Educating employees on the harmful effects of smoking and the problems drug abuse can cause is very important. Working Partners offers training and education for supervisors and employees.

Tags: drug abuse prevention, smoking bans, workplace drug abuse

Automobile Deaths Decline

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that alcohol-related deaths on our nation’s highways represent 31 percent of all driving deaths.  This is a decrease of almost five percent from 2009 to 2010. “While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we’re making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation’s roadways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Overall, automobile accidents are at the lowest number since 1949, in spite of the fact that travel increased 1.6 percent in 2010.

Employers should continue to be aware of the statistics and utilize alcohol testing for employees to avoid problems in the workplace. Contact Working Partners to learn the elements of a drug-free workplace program.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse program, alcohol safety, alcohol testing

Regulating Synthetic Drugs Poses Challenges

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports the use of synthetic drugs is escalating at an alarming rate. This includes bath salts and synthetic marijuana, “K2” and “Spice.”  The drugs are popular in part because most drug tests do not detect them, they are available on many websites and can often be purchased legally.

Currently, 43 states have passed or proposed laws banning specific chemicals in synthetic drugs. It has been difficult to prosecute rogue chemists because they tweak cannabinoids and other mind-altering chemicals to sidestep each ban and create new chemicals that fall outside the bounds of any proposed blanket ban. Some states such as Pennsylvania and Idaho are working feverishly to generate legislation that would close these loopholes by passing broad laws that outlaw substances that mimic illicit drugs, without identifying specific chemicals. Unfortunately, this may depend on the ability to ban entire chemical families in an attempt to ban new varieties before they’re invented.

The task would still be very difficult. Prosecutors would have to show the substances in question are chemically similar to illicit drugs as well as demonstrate the synthetic drugs have the same effect on the body. They also must prove the synthetic drugs are meant to be taken in the same way as illegal drugs, even though the products often have labels stating that they are not for human consumption.

At the federal level, the Synthetic Drug Control Act, approved by the House on December 8, 2011 bans more than 30 synthetic drugs, including bath salts and Spice. The measure would make it illegal to manufacture or dispense the drugs.  However, critics say that there are still problems, for example, attaching felony penalties to fake marijuana when the possession of real marijuana is a simple misdemeanor in many states is the wrong approach.

The bill would also give the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) more authority to put temporary bans on potentially hazardous drugs as they are being  investigated.

On a related note, the DEA issued a proposal to extend the temporary Schedule I Statius of five synthetic cannabindoids until August 29, 2012

Practicing good synthetic drug awareness is essential to find out which drugs employees may be using. Contact Working Partners to learn more about employee education and supervisor training classes to build drug awareness in your company.

Tags: drug awareness, drug free workplace, drug training programs, synthetic drugs, synthetic marijuana

More Americans Drinking

Alcohol consumption is at a 25-year high. A 2010 Gallup Poll found that 67 percent of the U.S. adult population drinks alcohol.

However, there are some interesting regional nuances to Americans’ drinking habits. High consumption rates are found in New England, Upper Plains and far West states, and Washington, D.C. On the other end of the spectrum is the Mid-Atlantic region and the Deep South. The nation’s heaviest drinking is found in New Hampshire where residents consume more than twice the national average.

Additionally, new estimates show that binge drinking is a bigger problem than previously thought. More than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink about four times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge is, on average, eight. This behavior greatly increases the chances of getting hurt or hurting others due to car crashes, violence and suicide. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 80,000 deaths in the U.S. each year and, in 2006 cost the economy $223.5 billion.

Binge drinking can cause problems in the workplace. Learn how to sustain an alcohol free workplace with Working Partners.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse statistics, alcohol free workplace, binge drin

Rx Drug Abuse Explodes

A report released by SAMHSA reveals that treatment admissions for prescription drug abuse increased an astonishing 430 percent from 1999 to 2009. The states hit hardest include Kentucky, Maine, Delaware, Vermont, West Virginia, Maryland, Arkansas, and Rhode Island. In a related note, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that three Americans die from a prescription drug overdose every hour.

Those with the highest rate of misuse and death include non-Hispanic whites, males between the ages of 20 and 64, and individuals residing in poor, rural communities.

Educating your employees about prescription drug abuse can help reduce the impact on your business. Working Partners hosts drug-free safety webinars for business looking to implement a drug-free workplace program.

Tags: drug free workplace, drug-free safety program, prescription drug abuse

Alcohol Tops List as Most Harmful Drug

From our archives: Previous articles that have some relevance today

Original date: 12/2010

Britain’s Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs recently rated drugs on the amount of harm done to both the body and society, encompassing the toll on families as well as health care and corrections expenditures. Crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin were found to have the most impact on the individual, while alcohol, heroin, and crack were ranked most detrimental to others.

Of those drugs, alcohol received the highest overall rating (72 out of a maximum 100), trailed by heroin (55) and crack (54).

Study authors observe that their findings do not mesh with drug classifications in the United Kingdom today. As a case in point, the British government increased penalties for marijuana possession in 2009, even though it is regarded much lower than alcohol and other drugs on the committee’s scale.

“What governments decide is illegal is not always based on science,” said Wim van den Brink, professor of psychiatry and addiction at the University of Amsterdam.

On the flip side, Leslie King, study co-author and an adviser to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs, opposes using the findings as a case for banning alcohol. “Alcohol is too embedded in our culture, and it won’t go away,” King believes.

Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol abuse program, alcohol free workplace, alcohol in workplace, alcohol safety, binge drinking

Rx Drugs: EPA Disposal Guideline

From our archives: Previous articles that have some relevance today

Original date: 03/2010

Return unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations in your community, if available. If not:

1. Take unused, unneeded or expired Rx drugs out of their original containers,
2. Mix with an undesirable substance (e.g. used coffee grounds, kitty litter),
3. Put in disposable, and non-descript container with a lid (e.g. empty cans or sealable bags),
4. Throw containers in trash.

Flush down toilet ONLY if the accompanying patient information specifically says it is safe.

Tags: drug abuse, drug awareness, drug-free workplace, prescription drug abuse

Take the Medicine Chest Challenge

The Second Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) was launched on September 1, during a meeting with community partners and affiliates around the country. Organizers are urging adults to accept the 5-step challenge which includes:

1) taking inventory of your medicine,

2) securing your medicine chest,

3) taking medicine only as prescribed by your doctor,

4) disposing of unused, unwanted and expired medicine, and most importantly, 5) talking to children about the dangers of prescription drugs.

As a part of this campaign, November 12, 2011 has been identified as a nationwide day of disposal of unused, unwanted and expired medicine. As explained by AMCC CEO Angelo M. Valente “… we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes – as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people.”

Read more about prescription drugs in “SPECIAL REPORT: Prescription Drugs, Ohio Responds.”

Tags: drug abuse prevention, drug awareness, drug free program, prescription drug abuse

Medical Marijuana Updates

In the Buckeye State, three initiatives to legalize medical marijuana are underway. Ohio House Bill 214 would allow qualified patients to possess 200 grams of marijuana and 12 mature plants. It has been assigned to the Committee of Health and Aging for discussion. The second initiative is the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment. If passed, this constitutional amendment would permit patients or caregivers to grow 12 plants and possess up to 3.5 ounces of processed marijuana. To date, amendment supporters have failed to collect enough valid signatures to get amendment wording approved by Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The last initiative, the Ohio Medical Cannabis Act of 2012, would establish a governing body to oversee medical marijuana production and distribution, similar to the state’s regulation of vineyards and alcoholic beverage sales. “The proposed language has addressed many of the issues we have seen other states stumble over either during or as a result of the implementation of such a law,” said Dee Mason, president of Working Partners^®. However, on September 20, Attorney General Mike Dewine rejected the bill’s summary because of content flaws.

Besides Ohio, Washington and California have also been dealing with medical marijuana issues. Seattle, in response to the state allowing municipalities to run their own programs, has established a new licensing and registration system for medical marijuana distributors. In April, San Diego increased restrictions on dispensaries but voters challenged the adjustments, causing the city council to repeal these restrictions