Pubdate: Sun, 06 Aug 2006
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: AAP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ONE IN FIVE WORKERS USING DRUGS - STUDY

Almost one in five Australian workers are using illegal drugs, with 
more than 250,000 people engaging in substance abuse at their place 
of employment, research shows. A study of 30,000 Australians has 
found that 17 per cent use illegal substances, mainly cannabis, 
followed by amphetamines, ecstasy, pain killers and cocaine.

Click here...

News Limited newspapers report that a breakdown of the research by 
industry shows that 31 per cent of people in hospitality have 
admitted to using drugs outside of work hours.

Construction workers were the second heaviest users at 24.1 per cent, 
followed by those in retail with 20.7.

The research, completed in 2004 by the National Centre for Education 
and Training on Addiction at Melbourne's Flinders University, also 
found more than 250,000 people used illegal drugs while at work.

Hospitality workers again were the biggest offenders, with 7.7 per 
cent of those in the industry admitting to being under the influence at work.

This was followed by the construction industry, with 4.2 per cent and 
then transport workers at 3.2 per cent.

The study's co-author, Dr Ken Pidd, said the use of drugs was a 
common contributor to accidents in the workplace.

"We estimate between three and 11 per cent of accidents are related 
to workplace drug and alcohol use," he told News Ltd.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman