Drugs in the workplace: A commentary

The increasingly serious problem of substance abuse in the workplace is reviewed. New initiatives to deal with this major public health problem in the United States are presented. The concerns of industry regarding alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace are discussed: health and safety, accidents, absenteeism, and medical and insurance costs. Employers' rights and responsibilities in insuring a safe work environment are presented. The development of employee assistance programs sensitive to the medical, legal, and work-related issues raised by substance abuse in the workplace is reviewed. Specific suggestions for employers concerned with the drug problem in industry are comprehensively discussed.