Substance Abuse in the Workplace: ADA and FMLA Issues to Consider, Part I

The issue of substance abuse is a serious one for employers. About 14 million people who are employed either full time or part time abuse alcohol and/or drugs. These employees account for about 10 percent of the U.S. workforce. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2008 data, more than 75 percent of adults who use alcohol heavily, and more than 60 percent of adults classified as substance abusers were employed full time.