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b. Alcohol misuse costs you money <br />C. Alcohol creates a negative work environment <br />2. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drug and <br />alcohol use on the job costs society an estimated $102 billion a year. Since most <br />of this cost is passed on to you in the form of higher health insurance rates or in <br />consumer prices, drug and alcohol use on the job costs you and your fellow <br />workers a significant amount of money. <br />3. Absenteeism among problem drinkers or alcoholics is 3.8 to 8.3 times greater than <br />normal. If your fellow workers don't come to work, you may have to do their <br />jobs in addition to your own. <br />4. Workers who misuse drugs and alcohol don't function at their full potential. Not <br />only is absenteeism a problem, when they are at work these employees may have <br />reduced capabilities and productivity. <br />5. No matter what your position is in the organization, there is something you can do <br />to ensure that drug and alcohol use on the job never becomes a problem at Trisco <br />Systems, Inc. Acceptance of any misuse puts you, Trisco Systems, Inc., and the <br />public at risk. <br />Effects of alcohol misuse <br />I. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Taken in large quantities it <br />causes not only the euphoria associated with being drunk, but also adversely <br />affects your judgement, ability to think, and your motor functions. Drink enough <br />alcohol fast enough and it can kill you. <br />2. Long term overuse of alcohol can cause liver damage, heart problems, sexual <br />dysfunction, and other serious medical problems. <br />3. In some cases alcohol use can lead to physical and psychological dependence on <br />alcohol. Alcoholism is a serious chronic disease. Left untreated it will inevitably <br />get worse. <br />4. Workers who use alcohol (and other drugs) affect everyone. Studies show that <br />compared to alcohol and drug free workers, substance abusers are far less <br />productive, miss more workdays, are more likely to injure themselves or someone <br />else, and file more workers' compensation claims. <br />5. The measurable dollar costs of workplace substance abuse from absenteeism, <br />overtime pay, tardiness, sick leave, insurance claims, and workers' compensation <br />can be substantial. However, the hidden costs resulting from diverted supervisory <br />and managerial time, friction among workers, damage to equipment, and damage <br />to Trisco Systems, Inc.'s public image mean that workplace substance abuse can <br />further cut into budgeted monies. <br />51 <br />