In Stockholm, twenty percent of patients in drug abuse treatment centres are trying to overcome the effects of amphetamines. The drug problem thus remains very much with us, but it is changing along with the changing society, and we must constantly analyse and reflect to ensure that we have the most appropriate prevention strategies to match the new situations. These new situations must be faced in an environment which is seeing in many parts of the world a marked decrease in the involvement of the state in health and social issues. People are being asked more and more to look after themselves at the level of their local communities, and the determining factors become the family, the neighbourhood, the town and the workplace. It may surprise some of you to know that studies have determined that sixty percent of drug abusers are employed.
Workers spend most of their waking lives at their jobs.
After the family, work is regarded as the most significant social system in the lives of people. Strong substance abuse prevention programmes are obviously important for basic health reasons. But they are also a key to higher productivity. Drug abuse among workers erodes the fruits of labor through absenteeism, accidents and higher health-care costs. Of course, the damages differ from company to company and from place to place.