The percentage of U.S. workers who are full-time employees (FTEs) engaging in illicit drug use (including marijuana) on a monthly basis increased to 10.8 percent, the highest percentage in 10 years, according to the recently released 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Additionally, FTEs using only marijuana on a monthly basis increased to 8.9 percent, the highest figure in 10 years.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which conducts the annual survey, employment status is an important factor affecting the likelihood of survey respondents to engage in illicit drug use, alcohol abuse, or both. In addition to employment status, the survey also breaks down respondent data by gender, race/ethnicity, and education level.
Although the survey underwent a partial redesign in 2015 to improve the quality of the data results — leading to potential breaks in comparability in some areas — we believe the survey data related to employment status still allow for valid prior year comparisons.
The results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health are available here.
Additional detailed statistical tables are available here.
Members of the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC) can read more here.