How can you judge if your organization will benefit from a drug-free workplace program? The following information can help you assess the risks, costs, and benefits in relation to your own needs and resources.

The assessment process is not an exact science. There are no right or wrong answers. One way to begin an assessment is to analyze the cost of alcohol and other drug abuse, such as health care utilization costs and losses due to theft, absenteeism, and accidents. Monitoring these same costs over time can help you assess the impact and success of your drug-free workplace program.

The risks, costs, and benefits will differ with every organization. A careful assessment can show which program options offer clear advantages and are affordable and which ones are not needed at this time. The following are some questions you should ask when deciding the best course of action.

Then ask: Can you afford to lose a valuable employee who is in trouble?

• Will loss of the employee affect this year's productivity and bottom line?
• How much will it cost to recruit, hire, and train someone new?
• What do you predict would happen to production and client satisfaction if an alcohol or other drug abuse problem goes unresolved?

For some employers, one accident, one major financial problem, or one breach of confidentiality can place the entire operation in jeopardy. If someone in your workforce is not fit to perform his or her job because of alcohol or other drug abuse, the risk may be significant.

What Are the Benefits?

Drug-free workplace programs can have both short- and long-term benefits. Employers who have already started drug-free workplace programs report significant benefits:

In 1989 the Department of Labor took a comprehensive look at the costs of alcohol and other drug abuse in the workplace. Some costs were easy to see. Others were hidden costs employers might not normally think about. The list below offers a basis for assessing the possible costs of alcohol and other drug abuse in your workplace:

In addition, business opportunities may be lost because people are not on the job or are not fully productive. Another major cost is the time spent by coworkers, supervisors, and administrators who must find ways to get the work done when someone is not pulling his or her weight.

Keep in mind that while there may be more cases of alcohol and other drug abuse in larger firms than in smaller ones, a single troubled employee can have a major impact on a smaller firm.

A common response to the idea of a drug-free workplace program, especially among smaller organizations, is "Fine, I'd like to do something, but what will it cost me?" The costs will vary depending on how much you want to do (a decision based on your assessment of the risks), how much help you can get from your local community and other resources, your geographic location, whether or not you hire consultants, and other details of your overall program. As you review your costs, keep in mind that a drug-free workplace program will also bring the benefits listed in the previous section.

To find out how much your particular program will cost, use the worksheet above. First, break the program into components or tasks, then estimate the number of hours that might be spent by you or others on each one and multiply by the hourly rates. Below are some of the tasks that are typically involved in developing a program:

• Write a policy or develop a program with the assistance of this kit and technical advice from CSAP's Workplace Helpline (1-800-WORKPLACE). Costs should include a review by your attorney.
  
  
• Train your supervisors or employees yourself, using the materials in this kit to assist you.
  
  
• Consult with other employers in your area who are addressing the problem of alcohol and other drug abuse in the workplace. Work together on shared program costs to save time and money.
  
  
• Create an employee team to develop a policy and implement training under your direction.
  
  
• Ask your insurance company for assistance with developing a program and educating employees. Also, ask for help in reviewing alcohol and other drug abuse treatment options that may be covered under your insurance plan.
  
  
• Hire a counselor or substance abuse expert by contacting a local hospital, treatment center, or employee assistance program provider. Ask for help with developing your policy and/or providing training to your supervisors, who would then train your employees. Treatment options for troubled employees or referrals to treatment facilities might also be included.
  
  
• Consult a local drug-free workplace consortium for help.

Even the smallest organization with minimal resources can support a drug-free workplace. For example, even if you can't offer insurance coverage for treatment, you can help your employees and save rehiring and retraining costs by:

• assuring employees continued employment if they successfully seek treatment on their own for an alcohol or other drug abuse problem;
• offering sick or unpaid leave while they are recovering;
• helping employees find the best local treatment for the cost; and/or
• offering to share the cost of treatment.

The employers and employees who contributed to this kit repeatedly emphasized that a key ingredient of a successful drug-free workplace program is a personal commitment to the program. Comments like the following indicate the importance of commitment by the organization's leadership.

Any employer who plans to do something about alcohol and other drug abuse should ask a few key questions:

• Am I ready to be a role model? Can I set the example that I want everyone to follow?
• Can I ensure that my program will apply to all levels of the organization?
• Am I ready to support the program and the policy for all employees, not just those in favored positions? Conversely, am I willing to insist that troubled employees get help, regardless of their rank?

With the risks, costs, and benefits in mind, only you can decide the best course of action for your organization. Below is a sample of what other employers have found:

"Like any company, I found that I wasn't immune to substance abuse. My best worker got himself in trouble, and I just couldn't sit back and do nothing. I created a policy, informed my managers, and had them tell the employees exactly what the company expected and the consequences of drug use on the job. I can't offer treatment, but I give time to recover -- it's better than trying to replace good people. Sure it costs me something -- but my employees seem grateful that I took action and now everyone knows what to expect." Owner of a data processing company "At first it seemed like too much trouble. But I called my insurance company and got help from some other employers in the area who were dealing with this problem. It isn't so hard, and although my employees were surprised when I first told them about the program, they seem fine about it now, even relieved -- not to mention that in the last 2 years, my insurance costs and absenteeism have both gone down." Owner of a print shop "At the very least, a drug-free workplace program means that when a substance abuse problem comes up, everyone knows what to do. For me, a quick response and the prevention of a single transaction mistake or theft means the difference between a good bottom line and a disappointing one." Manager of a real estate company "I just can't do all of the parts of a full drug-free workplace program right now. But I've learned a lot about this issue. I know that, at best, a drug-free workplace program can save a life. For some employees, awareness -- asking questions about themselves and drugs -- and knowing that my policy is there can open the door to change. I can encourage them to seek treatment. I really believe that a worker who is recovering is a productive worker, and better than no worker or someone who doesn't know the job." Manager of a chemical company "Boiled down, what I'm saying to my employees is this: The safety, health, and productivity of this workplace, the employees, and the public are all things I value highly, and threatening them by using or abusing substances puts your employment at risk. If you don't listen, you could be disciplined or lose your job. I'll answer whatever questions you have because this is important. That's it. That's the bottom line." Owner of a trucking company