Drug Free Workplace Newsletter

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WELCOME to the Drug Free Workplace e-Newsletter! Designed to provide you with timely information regarding ongoing anti-drug activities in the business community, key issues include recent events affecting awareness and attitudes towards drug-use in the work environment. Although geared toward small business, the newsletter contains a broad range of topics ranging from national trends, government policy, and recent findings to employee and parent education. We welcome your comments and suggestions and look forward to presenting you with the most current data you want and the important information you need. -- The publishers	Free Tool Reveals Alcohol’s Cost to Business Low Levels of Alcohol Can Impair Brain Drug use a concern for state’s hiring forecast Study Shows: Marijuana Causes Lung Damage New Publication Notice NHTSA Says Fight Against Drunk Driving Needs Renewal Supreme Court Upholds Raytheon “Permanent Bar” Policy More Companies Switching to Hair Testing

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Free Tool Reveals Alcohol’s Cost to Business
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According to data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 8.1 percent of full time workers report heavy alcohol use (five or more drinks at once at least five times a month). For employees with alcohol problems, health care costs are about twice as high as for the average employee. The outlay on businesses nationwide totals about $26 billion and U.S. employees with alcohol problems take a combined 51 million extra sick days annually, according to Dr. Eric Goplerud, director of Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems at the George Washington University Medical Center . To help businesses calculate company losses that result directly from alcohol problems among their employees, Ensuring Solutions developed The Alcohol Cost Calculator. The free online tool is a part of a comprehensive effort to demonstrate to businesses how they can improve access to treatment, curb health care costs, and ultimately increase productivity. Using the calculator is easy. Simply select a business category from the provided list and then enter the total number of workers employed. Within moments, a business owner can know how they can save money and keep workers on the job and productive.
This quarter, the www.dfwp.org website applies the calculator to a business in the auto body and repair services industry. To determine how much money can be saved for your company, log on today at www.alcoholcostcalculator.org Also available from Ensuring Solutions is the publication: A Sound Investment: Identifying and Treating Alcohol Problems. http://www.ensuringsolutions.org/pages/primer/primer3/primer3.html . Ensuring Solutions at the George Washington University Medical Center works with policymakers, employers and concerned citizens, to provide research-based information and tools to help curb the avoidable health care and other costs associated with alcohol use and improve access to treatment for Americans who need it. The project is supported by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts. ( http://www.ensuringsolutions.org )

Content 1

Free Tool Reveals Alcohol’s Cost to Business

According to data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 8.1 percent of full time workers report heavy alcohol use (five or more drinks at once at least five times a month). For employees with alcohol problems, health care costs are about twice as high as for the average employee. The outlay on businesses nationwide totals about $26 billion and U.S. employees with alcohol problems take a combined 51 million extra sick days annually, according to Dr. Eric Goplerud, director of Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems at the George Washington University Medical Center .

To help businesses calculate company losses that result directly from alcohol problems among their employees, Ensuring Solutions developed The Alcohol Cost Calculator.

The free online tool is a part of a comprehensive effort to demonstrate to businesses how they can improve access to treatment, curb health care costs, and ultimately increase productivity.

Using the calculator is easy. Simply select a business category from the provided list and then enter the total number of workers employed. Within moments, a business owner can know how they can save money and keep workers on the job and productive.

This quarter, the www.dfwp.org website applies the calculator to a business in the auto body and repair services industry.

To determine how much money can be saved for your company, log on today at www.alcoholcostcalculator.org

Also available from Ensuring Solutions is the publication: A Sound Investment: Identifying and Treating Alcohol Problems. http://www.ensuringsolutions.org/pages/primer/primer3/primer3.html .

Ensuring Solutions at the George Washington University Medical Center works with policymakers, employers and concerned citizens, to provide research-based information and tools to help curb the avoidable health care and other costs associated with alcohol use and improve access to treatment for Americans who need it. The project is supported by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts. ( http://www.ensuringsolutions.org )

Content 2
Low Levels of Alcohol Can Impair Brain
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11/19/2003 New animal research finds that even moderate drinking can impair motor coordination and memory and lower social inhibitions, HealthDay News reported Nov. 17. According to lead researcher Dr. Richard Olsen, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California at Los Angeles , a blood-alcohol level of 0.01 percent can impair brain function. "This is the effect one or two drinks will have," he said. Olsen and his research team studied the effects on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in animal cells exposed to low levels of ethanol. They found that GABA receptors with a beta-3 subunit and a delta subunit responded to low levels of alcohol. These receptors are located in cellular areas and brain regions, including the cerebellum. Researchers found that other GABA receptors responded only to much higher levels of alcohol. Olsen and his research team are conducting a similar study on rats. "If we understand the action of alcohol at the cellular and molecular level, it is helpful in treating the bad effects that alcohol may have," he said. "We may be able to develop antidotes or treatments for intoxication or overdoses and coma and life-threatening effects as well as being able to understand and treat alcohol abuse." The study's findings by M. Wallner, H. Hanchar and R. Olsen are published in the Nov. 17, 2003 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,567705,00.html

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Low Levels of Alcohol Can Impair Brain

11/19/2003

New animal research finds that even moderate drinking can impair motor coordination and memory and lower social inhibitions, HealthDay News reported Nov. 17.

According to lead researcher Dr. Richard Olsen, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California at Los Angeles , a blood-alcohol level of 0.01 percent can impair brain function. "This is the effect one or two drinks will have," he said.

Olsen and his research team studied the effects on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in animal cells exposed to low levels of ethanol. They found that GABA receptors with a beta-3 subunit and a delta subunit responded to low levels of alcohol. These receptors are located in cellular areas and brain regions, including the cerebellum.

Researchers found that other GABA receptors responded only to much higher levels of alcohol.

Olsen and his research team are conducting a similar study on rats. "If we understand the action of alcohol at the cellular and molecular level, it is helpful in treating the bad effects that alcohol may have," he said. "We may be able to develop antidotes or treatments for intoxication or overdoses and coma and life-threatening effects as well as being able to understand and treat alcohol abuse."

The study's findings by M. Wallner, H. Hanchar and R. Olsen are published in the Nov. 17, 2003 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,567705,00.html

Content 3
Drug use a concern for state’s hiring forecast
10/13/2003 The Honolulu Advertiser reports concern that the state's drug problem will force businesses there to recruit from a workforce that is failing pre-employment drug tests in greater numbers or – even worse – from the pool that avoids tests altogether. According to the Advertiser, Scientific Director of Toxicology for Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Carl Linden has said that workplace testing turns up evidence of marijuana use most often; yet lately, methamphetamine or “meth” use is rapidly on the rise. In reviewing failed pre-employment tests, drug and alcohol awareness coordinator for ISI Health Enhancement Services, Robin Gard-Kelly stated that “meth” use accounts for most failures reviewed by her office. Kelly also expressed the frustration being felt because, “these people do have the skills that are needed, but these employer groups don't want people in there that are using, especially with crystal meth, which can cause violence in the workplace.” The Advertiser also interviewed, a representative from Hawaii's Chamber of Commerce and reported the small business advocate as stating that those industries most likely to report problems with positive tests are those who use “casual” and part-time help with large numbers of unskilled and younger workers, including construction, food service, hotels and auto repair, the focus of this quarter's industry update at www.dfwp.org . To read the Honolulu Advertiser's full article (in English) go to http://thehonoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Oct/12/ln/ln02a.html .	back to top
Hawaii’s drug concerns are only part of a nationwide trend. The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health continues to report the highest use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol in adults between the ages of 18 and 34. Of the 16.6M drug users age 18 or older, 74.6% were employed either full or part time. Among the 51.1 million adult binge and heavy drinkers, those employed were 80% and 79% respectively. Concerned about drug abuse at your workplace? Check out the resources at www.dfwp.org.

Content 3

Drug use a concern for state’s hiring forecast

10/13/2003

The Honolulu Advertiser reports concern that the state's drug problem will force businesses there to recruit from a workforce that is failing pre-employment drug tests in greater numbers or – even worse – from the pool that avoids tests altogether.

According to the Advertiser, Scientific Director of Toxicology for Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Carl Linden has said that workplace testing turns up evidence of marijuana use most often; yet lately, methamphetamine or “meth” use is rapidly on the rise.

In reviewing failed pre-employment tests, drug and alcohol awareness coordinator for ISI Health Enhancement Services, Robin Gard-Kelly stated that “meth” use accounts for most failures reviewed by her office. Kelly also expressed the frustration being felt because, “these people do have the skills that are needed, but these employer groups don't want people in there that are using, especially with crystal meth, which can cause violence in the workplace.”

The Advertiser also interviewed, a representative from Hawaii's Chamber of Commerce and reported the small business advocate as stating that those industries most likely to report problems with positive tests are those who use “casual” and part-time help with large numbers of unskilled and younger workers, including construction, food service, hotels and auto repair, the focus of this quarter's industry update at www.dfwp.org .

To read the Honolulu Advertiser's full article (in English) go to http://thehonoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Oct/12/ln/ln02a.html .

Hawaii’s drug concerns are only part of a nationwide trend. The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health continues to report the highest use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol in adults between the ages of 18 and 34.

Of the 16.6M drug users age 18 or older, 74.6% were employed either full or part time.

Among the 51.1 million adult binge and heavy drinkers, those employed were 80% and 79% respectively.

Concerned about drug abuse at your workplace? Check out the resources at www.dfwp.org.

Content 4
Study Shows: Marijuana Causes Lung Damage
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12/10/2003 New research finds that smoking three or four marijuana cigarettes a week for six years could harm lung function and destroy antioxidants that protect cells against heart disease and cancer, Reuters reported Dec. 5. "Smoking cannabis on a regular basis actually depletes your lung of protective antioxidant substances and this may have chronic long-term implications for young individuals," said Dr Sarah Nuttall of the University of Birmingham in England . The study involved a group of 20 people ages 19 to 30 who were either nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and/or marijuana users. Researchers took blood samples, conducted lung function measurements, and tested for antioxidant markers. "We found that smokers, compared to nonsmokers, had impaired lung function," Nuttall said. Nuttall said that when compared to nonsmokers, marijuana smokers had substantially lower levels of a protective antioxidant and nitric oxide, which is linked to lung function. "These findings are important in young individuals in which the use of cannabis is increasing and may have serious long-term implications for what is currently regarded as a relatively harmless recreational habit," she said. The study's findings were presented at a meeting of the British Thoracic Society held recently in London , England . http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568058,00.html

Content 4

Study Shows: Marijuana Causes Lung Damage

12/10/2003

New research finds that smoking three or four marijuana cigarettes a week for six years could harm lung function and destroy antioxidants that protect cells against heart disease and cancer, Reuters reported Dec. 5.

"Smoking cannabis on a regular basis actually depletes your lung of protective antioxidant substances and this may have chronic long-term implications for young individuals," said Dr Sarah Nuttall of the University of Birmingham in England .

The study involved a group of 20 people ages 19 to 30 who were either nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and/or marijuana users. Researchers took blood samples, conducted lung function measurements, and tested for antioxidant markers.

"We found that smokers, compared to nonsmokers, had impaired lung function," Nuttall said.

Nuttall said that when compared to nonsmokers, marijuana smokers had substantially lower levels of a protective antioxidant and nitric oxide, which is linked to lung function.

"These findings are important in young individuals in which the use of cannabis is increasing and may have serious long-term implications for what is currently regarded as a relatively harmless recreational habit," she said.

The study's findings were presented at a meeting of the British Thoracic Society held recently in London , England .

http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568058,00.html

Content 5
New Publication Notice
The National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance has made us aware of this valuable resource just released from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy: What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana This document provides critical information on the myths and misperceptions surrounding the most widely used illicit drug in America . Common myths countered by this resource include: MYTH: Youth experimentation with marijuana is inevitable. FACT: Drug use can be prevented. The majority of young people do not use drugs, and there are proven ways to keep kids from starting. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana use is not a rite of passage. MYTH: Marijuana is not addictive. FACT: Marijuana has been proven to be a psychologically addictive drug. Scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse have demonstrated that laboratory animals will self-administer THC in doses equivalent to those used by humans who smoke marijuana. More information on the myths surrounding marijuana are addressed in "What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana". The publication can be accessed at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/mj_rev.pdf . Other drug fact sheets and publications from the ONDP can be accessed via the world wide web at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/ .	back to top
Workplace Resource Center SAMHSA - Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration http://workplace.samhsa.gov/

Content 5

New Publication Notice

The National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance has made us aware of this valuable resource just released from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy:

What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana

This document provides critical information on the myths and misperceptions surrounding the most widely used illicit drug in America . Common myths countered by this resource include:

MYTH: Youth experimentation with marijuana is inevitable.
FACT: Drug use can be prevented. The majority of young people do not use drugs, and there are proven ways to keep kids from starting. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana use is not a rite of passage.

MYTH: Marijuana is not addictive.
FACT: Marijuana has been proven to be a psychologically addictive drug. Scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse have demonstrated that laboratory animals will self-administer THC in doses equivalent to those used by humans who smoke marijuana.

More information on the myths surrounding marijuana are addressed in "What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana".

The publication can be accessed at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/mj_rev.pdf .
Other drug fact sheets and publications from the ONDP can be accessed via the world wide web at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/ .

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Workplace Resource Center

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

http://workplace.samhsa.gov/

Content 6
NHTSA Says Fight Against Drunk Driving Needs Renewal
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12/11/2003 Dr. Jeffrey Runge, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), said renewed efforts are needed to reduce drunk driving, the Associated Press reported Dec. 3. "Since the early 1990s, we haven't made any progress," Runge said. According to Runge, the number of alcohol-related fatalities has remained constant from 2000 to 2002. Last year, there were 17,419 alcohol-related deaths. Of those, more than 15,000 were killed by drivers who had a blood-alcohol level higher than 0.08 percent. Runge said a bill under consideration in the U.S. Congress would allow the NHTSA to provide grants to states who establish specialized prosecutors or courts dedicated solely to drunk-driving cases. He is also urging doctors to inquire about drinking behavior during patient visits. "A doctor's advice is often all you need to catch them early," Runge said. http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568107,00.html

Content 6

NHTSA Says Fight Against Drunk Driving Needs Renewal

12/11/2003

Dr. Jeffrey Runge, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), said renewed efforts are needed to reduce drunk driving, the Associated Press reported Dec. 3.

"Since the early 1990s, we haven't made any progress," Runge said.

According to Runge, the number of alcohol-related fatalities has remained constant from 2000 to 2002. Last year, there were 17,419 alcohol-related deaths. Of those, more than 15,000 were killed by drivers who had a blood-alcohol level higher than 0.08 percent.

Runge said a bill under consideration in the U.S. Congress would allow the NHTSA to provide grants to states who establish specialized prosecutors or courts dedicated solely to drunk-driving cases.

He is also urging doctors to inquire about drinking behavior during patient visits.

"A doctor's advice is often all you need to catch them early," Runge said.

http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568107,00.html

Content 7
Supreme Court Upholds Raytheon“PERMANENT BAR” Policy
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12/03/2003 In a 7-0 ruling last month, (2 Justices took no part in the decision), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Raytheon's permanent bar policy. On July 11, 1991, Joel Hernandez, a 25-year employee of Hughes Missile Systems, tested positive for cocaine. Two years later, and in recovery, he reapplied and was refused employment based on his previous workplace misconduct. EEOC issued a “right-to-sue” letter based on discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( ADA ). District Court granted petitioner motion for summary judgment on the disparate-treatment claim and the Ninth Circuit agreed. Yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts. For more information about this case, visit http://www.sapaa.com/news/raytheon.htm .

Content 7

Supreme Court Upholds Raytheon“PERMANENT BAR” Policy

12/03/2003

In a 7-0 ruling last month, (2 Justices took no part in the decision), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Raytheon's permanent bar policy. On July 11, 1991, Joel Hernandez, a 25-year employee of Hughes Missile Systems, tested positive for cocaine. Two years later, and in recovery, he reapplied and was refused employment based on his previous workplace misconduct. EEOC issued a “right-to-sue” letter based on discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( ADA ). District Court granted petitioner motion for summary judgment on the disparate-treatment claim and the Ninth Circuit agreed. Yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts.

For more information about this case, visit http://www.sapaa.com/news/raytheon.htm .

Content 8
More Companies Switching to Hair Testing
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12/17/2003 More large companies are switching from urine tests to hair samples to check employees for drug use, the Boston Globe reported Dec. 15. Last year, Kraft Foods of Illinois switched to hair testing. "We felt the hair test was a much better testing methodology," said Kraft Foods spokeswoman Kathy Kanuth. The Boston Police Department also made the change, and the federal government is considering a revision of its regulations and procedures to allow for hair and other alternative testing methods. The increase in the number of small businesses that are selling products that help workers beat urine tests may be behind the switch to hair testing. "We're adding between 250 and 270 clients per year. Over the last three years, we added 800 clients and the majority of them were employers who wanted to switch from urine to hair testing," said Ray Kubacki, president and chief executive of Psychemedics, which analyzes hair samples for drugs. According to the American Management Association, 67 percent of U.S. companies conduct drug tests. Of that number, 20 percent test hair and urine, 30 percent test saliva, and the rest test urine only. Critics of hair testing say it raises privacy and legal concerns. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said hair testing on African-Americans and pregnant women could cause a false positive result. In addition, entrepreneur Dennis Catalano, co-founder of Puck Technology, said that a hair test brings up privacy issues because, "there are hundreds of things besides drugs that can be deduced from hair testing information, including genetic information, health information, or any use of psychotropic drugs for mental illness." Catalano's company helps people beat drug tests. http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568238,00.html

Content 8

More Companies Switching to Hair Testing

12/17/2003

More large companies are switching from urine tests to hair samples to check employees for drug use, the Boston Globe reported Dec. 15.

Last year, Kraft Foods of Illinois switched to hair testing. "We felt the hair test was a much better testing methodology," said Kraft Foods spokeswoman Kathy Kanuth.

The Boston Police Department also made the change, and the federal government is considering a revision of its regulations and procedures to allow for hair and other alternative testing methods.

The increase in the number of small businesses that are selling products that help workers beat urine tests may be behind the switch to hair testing.

"We're adding between 250 and 270 clients per year. Over the last three years, we added 800 clients and the majority of them were employers who wanted to switch from urine to hair testing," said Ray Kubacki, president and chief executive of Psychemedics, which analyzes hair samples for drugs.

According to the American Management Association, 67 percent of U.S. companies conduct drug tests. Of that number, 20 percent test hair and urine, 30 percent test saliva, and the rest test urine only.

Critics of hair testing say it raises privacy and legal concerns. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said hair testing on African-Americans and pregnant women could cause a false positive result.

In addition, entrepreneur Dennis Catalano, co-founder of Puck Technology, said that a hair test brings up privacy issues because, "there are hundreds of things besides drugs that can be deduced from hair testing information, including genetic information, health information, or any use of psychotropic drugs for mental illness." Catalano's company helps people beat drug tests.

http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,568238,00.html


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JANUARY 2004
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