News Release

OPA News Release: [10/28/2003]
Contact Name: Bob Zachariasiewiecz
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Department of Labor Enhances Web Site to Help America’s Businesses and Workers Benefit from Being Drug Free

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor recently revamped its Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Web site to better connect employers to valuable online information and tools available to help them establish drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health, while improving productivity and bottom-line profits.

Recently released data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicate that nearly three quarters of adult illicit drug users are employed either full or part time. America’s businesses pay a high price for these individuals’ drug abuse. Some costs-increased absences, accidents and errors-are obvious. Others, such as low employee morale and high illness rates, are less so, but the effects are equally harmful.

Employers can protect their businesses from these negative effects by developing drug-free workplace programs that educate employees about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and encourage individuals with related problems to seek help. The Working Partners Web site’s new design provides employers with improved access to free resources and tools to help establish and maintain such programs.

“As an online resource, Working Partners helps workers and employers work together to ensure a safe and drug-free environment for families, schools, and communities,” Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said. “Working Partners is an important part of President George W. Bush’s campaign to eliminate drug use in our country and economic, social and emotional devastation caused by drug addiction.”

The Working Partners Web site features the Drug-Free Workplace Advisor, an interactive tool that helps employers build tailored, drug-free workplace policies and programs; the Substance Abuse Information Database, an online repository of hundreds of documents related to workplace alcohol and drug abuse; basic information about substance abuse and how it affects employment; and directories of national, state and local resources as well as state laws that may assist employers in making their businesses drug free.

The Working Partners initiative was developed by DOL to help raise awareness about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the workplace and provide information on how to establish drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health. This resource can be especially helpful for small businesses, which may be most vulnerable to workplace substance abuse. The Working Partners Web site can be accessed at www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm.

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