Those working more than 20 hours per week are at high risk for substance abuse and injury. 5 Barry McCaffrey, Office of National Drug Control Policy Director, cautioned that employers will need to be vigilant regarding the next generation of workers.
Workplaces provide an ideal opportunity to influence individual behavior and community norms.
Clear and consistent substance abuse policies and drug education efforts create an aware and informed workforce, can significantly reduce drug and alcohol abuse in workplaces, and reach the families of employees and the communities where they live. Since 1986, the Federal government has mandated a comprehensive drug-free workplace program for all Federal workers. Implemented in 120 agencies, this model program covers approximately 1.8 million employees. As the nation's largest employer, the Federal program continues to provide leadership by example. In June 1999, President Clinton took another historic step forward to ensuring a drug-free federal workforce by issuing an Executive Order directing the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, the nation's largest health insurance plan, to provide full coverage for substance abuse treatment, equal to any other medical condition, by the year 2001.