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Note: The following statistics should not be attributed to the U.S. Department of Labor, but rather their respective
footnoted sources listed at the bottom of the page.
In America's dynamic high-tech industry, employees regularly shift
large quantities of information, data and money with the simple click
of a mouse. Accuracy is critical, and the smallest of mistakes can
have far-reaching consequences. Employees impaired due to abuse of
alcohol or other drugs are a danger to companies determined to succeed
in today's electronic world, where a fast pace of growth and unstructured
schedules may allow problems to go undetected and become serious threats
to employee health and company profits. By making the country's high-tech
workplaces free of alcohol and other drugs, employers help ensure
that America maintains its status as a leader in the worldwide technology
revolution.
A Federal government survey revealed that rates of substance abuse
among three different types of personnel between the ages of 18 and
49 within the high-tech industry are as follows:1
| |
| Position |
Current Illicit Drug Use (%) |
Past Year Illicit Drug Use (%) |
Current Heavy Alcohol Use (%) |
Computer Scientists/Analysts |
-- |
-- |
2.4 |
Computer Programmers/Operators |
3.6 |
10.4 |
2.7 |
Computer and Data Processors |
6.1 |
13.5 |
16.2 |
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The good news is that more and more high-tech employers, ranging
from long-time industry giants to small start-ups, are implementing
drug-free workplace programs to ensure safe workplaces and productive
workforces — company features that ultimately result in increased
profitability and success.
Endnotes:
1 US Department of Health and Human Services Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1996). Drug Use
among U.S. Workers: Prevalence and Trends by Occupation and Industry
Categories. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services.
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