A recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that young adult worker are more likely than older workers to use illicit drugs. The younger workers are also less likely to have access to an employee assistance program (EAP), which can provide alcohol and drug education, prevention and treatment resources, in their workplace.
While 10% of full-time older workers, ages 26 to 64, reported using illicit drugs in the last month, almost one-fifth of young workers, ages 18 to 25, report using illicit drugs. Only one-third of young workers said their employer offered a educational information about drug and alcohol abuse, compared to 40-49% of older workers. EAPs were offered to 40% of young workers, while 56% of the older workers were offered an EAP.
It is clear that employers should consider the higher rates of alcohol and drug use of young adults when planning a workplace substance abuse program and/or an EAP.
Sources
CESAR Fax – Young Adult Workers Have Highest Rate of Illicit Drug Use; Least Access to Workplace Drug Education and Employee Assistance Programs (pdf)
Join Together.org – Young Adult Workers Have Highest Rates of Illicit Drug Use, Least Access to EAPs
Technorati Tags: illicit drugs, employees, young, workers, EAP, workplace
