Meth Becomes Bigger Workplace ProblemAugust 9, 2005
Research Summary
Many workers use methamphetamine to stay awake for second jobs or to sharpen concentration. But use of the drug ultimately costs both workers and employers big."Initially, it does increase performance and concentration, all the things you want in an employee," says Carol Falkowski, director of research communications at Hazelden. "(Users) take it to function. It has broad appeal to people who have too much to do and are too stressed. That's all of us."
The Tucson Citizen reported Aug. 8 that model, actor, and waiter Scott Chubb, 31, used meth for seven years to help keep up his hectic lifestyle. Eventually, a $60 bag of meth that used to last a week was only lasting a few hours, and Chubb's health and appearance deteriorated. One day in 2004, he took off from work and checked into treatment.
"I needed to leave," says Chubb. "I needed to find help. I was living a double life. I quit cold turkey that day. I stopped using drugs, but it wasn't easy."
Positive drug tests for amphetamines in the workplace jumped 6 percent last year and 44 percent in 2003, even as use of other drugs appeared to decline. "Drug abuse in the workplace is decreasing, but ironically, methamphetamine positives are increasing," said Mark de Bernardo, executive director of the Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace in Washington.
Costs to employers including increased absenteeism, theft, or even workplace violence are associated with meth use. "(Methamphetamine) is a big issue and an area of concern from employers," said Barry Sample at Quest Diagnostics, a drug-testing firm based in Lyndhurst, N.J. "You can't necessarily tell (if an employee is addicted). They need to feed this habit. They're going to have ill health effects. They're going to modify behavior to obtain the drugs by any means."
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