The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #51208

David Duncan, DrPH, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, 1347 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101, (270) 796-6713, david.duncan@accessky.net

Estimates of the cost to society of illicit drug use commonly include millions of dollars for lost productivity due to drug use by workers. A review of the available research casts considerable doubt on the validity of these estimates. While the productivity of some workers clearly is negatively affected by drug abuse, most of this involves alcohol abuse rather than abuse of illicit drugs. Any negative impact of nonabusive drug use is not evident in the available research. The widely cited figures seem to be more a propaganda tool than a product of serious research.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will differentiate between drug use and drug abuse.
• Participants will discuss the prevalence of drug abuse in the working population of the U.S..
• Participants will discuss the evidence regarding the impact of workers' use of illicit drugs on their productivity.

Keywords: Workforce, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.