DOL Secretary Chao Announces Start of Drug-Free Work Week

On October 11, Secretary of the Department of Labor, Elaine L. Chao, announced the start of the second-annual Drug-Free Work Week, set to take place from October 14-20.

According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, most drug and alcohol abusers are employed either part-time or full-time. According to a 2005 survey, 74.8% of all substance abusers aged 18 and older were employed part-time or full-time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration further asserts that between 10 and 20% of all workers who die on the job tested positive for alcohol or drug use. Industries where substance abuse is most common include wholesale, mining, manufacturing, and construction.

For these reasons, the Department of Labor emphasizes the importance of drug and alcohol programs in the workplace. These programs are intended to detect, deter, and help those who struggle with substance abuse.

The Department of Labor's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace are distributing materials to help employers, workers, and supervisors raise awareness and assist those who have substance abuse problems in the workplace. Materials being distributed by the Department include posters and stickers with the slogan, "working drug free works", "toolbox talks" for employers, supervisors, and workers working in construction, and fact sheets.

The Department of Labor's Working Partners offer several suggestions regarding how to educate workers and supervisors during Drug-Free Work Week. These include educating workers on the negative consequences substance abuse may have in the workplace, training supervisors to recognize substance abuse, and advertising community resources to help employees who may need help with a substance abuse problem.