Among Americans ages 15-25, drug-free workplace policies and Employee Assistance Programs were each independently associated with lower marijuana use and prescription drug misuse, but not with problem drinking.
Read this if you are a young worker or employer interested in how workplace drug policies affect substance use patterns.
15% lower odds of prescription misuse with drug-free workplace policies
What the researchers found
Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 young adults in national surveys to examine how school status, employment, and workplace drug policies relate to prescription drug misuse.
Being a student was protective against prescription misuse. Among those ages 18-25, working consistently added further protection. Both awareness of a drug-free workplace policy (OR = 0.85) and access to Employee Assistance Programs (OR = 0.85) were independently associated with lower prescription drug misuse.
All four workplace program aspects were also significantly associated with lower marijuana use. However, none were associated with problem drinking, suggesting these programs specifically affect illicit drug behavior rather than all substance use.
Why it matters
The finding that workplace drug policies reduce marijuana and prescription drug misuse but not alcohol problems suggests these programs work through deterrence and culture change specific to illicit drug use, not through general behavior modification.
The numbers in context
20,457 participants; EAP access OR=0.85 for prescription misuse; drug-free workplace awareness OR=0.85; all four program aspects significantly associated with lower marijuana use; none associated with problem drinking
How the study worked
Secondary analysis of weighted data from the 2004-2008 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Included 20,457 young adults ages 15-25. Multivariate logistic regressions controlled for sex, race, community size, age group, and substance use history.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. People who choose workplaces with drug policies may differ from those who do not. Self-reported drug use and policy awareness. Data from 2004-2008 predates marijuana legalization in most states.
How to read the evidence
Large national dataset with appropriate statistical controls, though cross-sectional design and self-reported data limit causal conclusions.
When this study was published
Published in 2015 using 2004-2008 data. Marijuana legalization and changing attitudes may have altered these relationships.
The bigger picture
For employers considering whether workplace drug programs are worth the investment, this study suggests they produce measurable reductions in both marijuana use and prescription drug misuse among younger workers, beyond simple selection effects.
Questions still open
- Have these protective effects changed since marijuana legalization? Do workplace drug policies reduce drug problems or simply push drug-using workers to different employers? Would expanding EAP messaging about prescription drugs increase their protective effect?
Common questions
Do workplace drug policies actually work?
Why did workplace programs not reduce alcohol problems?
Read the original research
School and work status, drug-free workplace protections, and prescription drug misuse among Americans ages 15-25.
Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 76(2), 195-203
Citation
Miller, Ted; Novak, Scott P; Galvin, Deborah M; Spicer, Rebecca S; Cluff, Laurie; Kasat, Sandeep. (2015). School and work status, drug-free workplace protections, and prescription drug misuse among Americans ages 15-25.. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 76(2), 195-203.