Drugs, alcohol and the workplace

The use of alcohol and other drugs can impact on workplaces in a number of ways, including affecting relationships, safety and productivity.

The following statistics demonstrate the extent of this impact in Australia:

Alcohol and other drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity.
Recent research has estimated that 2.5 million days are lost annually due to alcohol and other drug use, at a cost of more than $680 million.
One in 10 workers says they have experienced the negative effects associated with a co-worker's misuse of alcohol. The negative effects include reduced ability to do your job, involved in an accident or close call, worked extra hours to cover for a co-worker, and took at least one day off work.

Source: Alcohol and Drug Foundation

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