Workplace: Role, Prevention, and Programs

Prevention makes good business sense given the extent and cost of the workplace alcohol and drug problems. Since the advent of the 1988 DFWA, [Page 857]workplaces have seen significant growth in wellness programs and both prevention and health screening technologies that can supplement or enhance strategies for dealing with substance abuse. Employers may be able to find creative ways to incorporate prevention through wellness programs, health screenings, and their health provider network. One of the most effective workplace policies is drug-testing job applicants and rejecting those who test positive for illicit drugs. Research suggests such efforts are cost effective, enhance worker productivity, and can avoid critical and costly incidents in the long term. However, this literature is characterized by few experimental studies, with most investigations ...