7.5 Policy Implications and Recommendations for Future Research

Analysis of the 1994 and 1997 NHSDA provides continued evidence that workplace policies about drug and alcohol use are associated with lower prevalence rates of current illicit drug use and heavy alcohol use among workers. The data suggest that workplace-based programs of employee assistance and intervention should be encouraged.

Workers' attitudes toward various drug testing programs have changed over time. Although some controversial issues surrounding alcohol and drug testing at the workplace still exist, overall, more workers expressed that they would be willing to work for an employer who had a drug testing program. While future workplace intervention programs may benefit from this general attitude change, efforts should be targeted to engage in customized and effective communications during implementation of the program, taking into account the variations across the different groups, such as the occupational categories.

The abuse of drugs and alcohol among workers is a significant hazard to working Americans. Future studies should attempt to investigate the effectiveness of various workplace policies and programs concerning drug and alcohol abuse. The costs and benefits to both employers and employees must be estimated so that judicious implementation of such policies can be achieved. Through hierarchical data modeling, information about both employers and employees can be utilized to inform public policy decisions affecting households on a variety of issues including how workplace structures and procedures affect workers.