Drugs and Substance Abuse at the Work Place
AN OVERVIEW OF DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
A drug is any chemical substance which when taken into the body will modify or alter the way the body functions from its normal state or from the abnormal to normal state. Drugs can be orally administered, injected, chewed, sniffed, smoked or applied.
Drug abuse is the non medical use of drugs that destroys the health and productive life of an individual. It is the intentional use of psychoactive substances for purposes of altering one’s psychological state without medical supervision. Drug abuse will often lead to pathological drug dependence, a condition in which the abuser is no longer able to stop using the drug even when the habit is causing serious damage to him or to others.
The awareness that drugs and substance abuse may affect the workplace is increasing in acceptance. Many aspects of the workplace today require alertness and quick and accurate reflexes. An impairment to these qualities may cause serious accidents and interfere with the accuracy and efficiency of work. Other ways in which drugs and substance abuse can cause problems at work include:
i. The after effects of substance abuse, that is, hangover and withdrawal, affect job performance ii. Absenteeism, illness and reduced productivity iii. Preoccupation with obtaining and using substances while at work, interfering with attention and concentration iv. Illegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employees
v. Psychological and stress related effects due to substance abuse by a family member, friend or co-worker that affects one’s job performance
TYPES OF DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES REGULARLY ABUSED
1. ALCOHOL
This includes beer, wines, spirits, traditional Kenyan brews like chang’aa, muratina, and busaa.
It is taken orally and symptoms of abuse include staggering, happiness/excitement, emotional disinhibition, motor inco-ordination, slurred speech and bad breadth.
Consequences of abuse include:
i. Impaired judgement and memory
A drug is any chemical substance which when taken into the body will modify or alter the way the body functions from its normal state or from the abnormal to normal state. Drugs can be orally administered, injected, chewed, sniffed, smoked or applied.
Drug abuse is the non medical use of drugs that destroys the health and productive life of an individual. It is the intentional use of psychoactive substances for purposes of altering one’s psychological state without medical supervision. Drug abuse will often lead to pathological drug dependence, a condition in which the abuser is no longer able to stop using the drug even when the habit is causing serious damage to him or to others.
The awareness that drugs and substance abuse may affect the workplace is increasing in acceptance. Many aspects of the workplace today require alertness and quick and accurate reflexes. An impairment to these qualities may cause serious accidents and interfere with the accuracy and efficiency of work. Other ways in which drugs and substance abuse can cause problems at work include:
i. The after effects of substance abuse, that is, hangover and withdrawal, affect job performance ii. Absenteeism, illness and reduced productivity iii. Preoccupation with obtaining and using substances while at work, interfering with attention and concentration iv. Illegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employees
v. Psychological and stress related effects due to substance abuse by a family member, friend or co-worker that affects one’s job performance
TYPES OF DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES REGULARLY ABUSED
1. ALCOHOL
This includes beer, wines, spirits, traditional Kenyan brews like chang’aa, muratina, and busaa.
It is taken orally and symptoms of abuse include staggering, happiness/excitement, emotional disinhibition, motor inco-ordination, slurred speech and bad breadth.
Consequences of abuse include:
i. Impaired judgement and memory
References: Armstrong, M (2006) A handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th edition): Kogan Page Limited. London Benderly, B & Harper, F. D (1998) Substance abuse prevention in the workplace. An Employer’s Guide: Robert A Miller (www.thirteen.org) NACADA (2006) “Frequently asked questions on drug and substance abuse”