These problems included 75 percent of apprentices dropping out of the company's two-year training program, a n average of 111 accident claims a year, and skyrocketing insurance premiums. When I learned that statistics show 20 percent of our population uses drugs and that in the Washington, D.C. area, at least 20 percent of the work force uses drugs every day, things started making sense. The program provides employees who admit to a drug problem with confidentiality and access to a 28-day treatment program at the company's expense. Those who fail their drug test before requesting counseling are terminated with the option of reapplying in six months and being tested again. Workers' compensation claims decreased from 111 annually to just 35 five years after the program was in place.
Lower claims translate into huge savings that grow each year.
Other less tangible benefits of a drug-free work force are also significantly helping Warner's bottom line. For example, employee morale has increased because employees feel the company is firm but fair and is doing its best to enhance safety. Better work quality and increased reliability have resulted in heightened customer satisfaction. Through implementation of the drug-free program Warner has learned a few lessons. First, the company has discovered that drug abuse among employees is like a cancer in the work force.