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Substance Abuse: The Problem and Its Solution

Publication No
SD-32
Type
Academic Document
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1987
Pages
168
Research Team
RT-011b
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DOCUMENT DETAILS
Abstract
Key Findings
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Abstract

This was a study of substance abuse in the construction industry sponsored by the Construction Industry Institute. The primary objective of the study was to determine the extent of the substance abuse problem in the construction industry and what is being done to solve the problem.

Substance abuse is perceived to be a significant problem within the construction industry. Approximately 10–15% of the people in the construction side of the industry are perceived by contractors, labor officials, and owners as having a substance abuse problem. Design officials believe the percentage is much lower for design personnel. The substance abuse problem has a significant cost impact. Overall costs are estimated to be 6.5–8.5% higher because of substance abuse. Health care, workers’ compensation, and other insurance costs are significantly higher because of substance abuse. Absenteeism, late starts, early quits, safety incidents, accidents, injuries, and turnover are all higher while productivity is significantly lower because of substance abuse.

While expressing the belief that substance abuse is a problem for the construction industry, many of the respondents indicated that substance abuse is not a problem for their organization. Consequently, there has not been a great deal of activity to solve the problem. This is not to say that organizations are not dealing with the problem. It is simply saying that there is much to be done. Examples of what organizations are doing is provided in the Appendix C.

Most of the discussion of substance abuse is focused on the use of illegal drugs, especially cocaine and marijuana. Although many people do not consider it a drug, the most abused drug is alcohol, by a significant margin. Much more attention and effort must be directed to solving the alcohol abuse problem.
Key Findings
Owners, contractors, and labor officials all viewed substance abuse in their part of the industry as a serious problem, with design firms viewing it as much less serious for them. When asked to rate substance abuse within their own companies, each stakeholder except labor officials viewed it as less of a problem. The data are unclear whether this difference is an accurate perception or analogous to an addict’s denial of a problem. The percentage of each stakeholder’s firm thought to be substance abusers was also assessed. (SD-32, p. 10)
Overall design and construction costs were thought to be 6.5-8.5% higher as a result of substance abuse. Part of the increased costs result from higher insurance costs (both health care and worker’s comp). Designers assessed lower impacts in their segment of the construction industry, consistent with their view that the problem is less prevalent for them. (SD-32, p. 14)
Survey respondents all perceived absenteeism, late starts, early quits, safety incidents, productivity, and turnover as being significantly and adversely impacted by substance abuse, on average between 13.6-18.8%. Interestingly, designers report similar percentage increases. (SD-32, p. 15)
A variety of approaches are being used to address the substance abuse problem with establishment of clear company policy being the most widely used, and search/seizure (in liaison with local law enforcement) being least frequently used. (SD-32, p. 19)
Owners are more likely to employ drug testing, with pre-employment testing most commonly used. For-cause testing, including after accidents, is the next most frequently used. All stakeholders overwhelmingly expressed they would NOT hire a known drug/alcohol abuser. A significant majority would, however, hire a recovering alcohol or drug addict. (SD-32, p. 22)
Filters & Tags
Knowledge Area
Construction Execution, Human Resource Management
Project Phase
Detailed Design (Engineering), Construction
Project Function
Project Management, Architects & Engineering, Construction, Health, Safety & Environmental
Industry Group
Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Buildings, Infrastructure
Research Topic
Employee Effectiveness
Keywords
Motivation, Drugs, Alcohol, Performance, Satisfaction, Substance Abuse, Employee Involvement, rt11

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