Also a widely accepted point-of-view is that people use drugs to relieve stress, but a review of the empirical evidence indicates that such tension reduction models have not always been supported (e.g., see Marlatt & Witkiewitz, 2008) and at least many instead use drugs for the euphoric feelings they produce. How can society or the government change this tendency? Or can it?
If we look at history the answer to the second question is it probably cannot be changed by the government. It then falls to those losing money as a result of lost productivity to attempt to implement measures to deal with the drug problem. Workplace employee assistance programs can be beneficial to reducing the individual suffering and loss of productivity that accompanies use of drugs of all types. Employee assistance programs (EAP) that follow a program of empathy and availability can help these individuals. The Department of Labor suggests that there should be (United States Department of Labor, 2010):
1. Consultation and training services for supervisors on managing and referring employees to the EAP.
2. Promotional activities to make sure that EAP is visible and accessible to employees.
3. Educational programs for employees.
4. Problem detection and referral services provided to employees and to family members).
5. A directory of qualified treatment providers to refer employees in need of help.
6. Twenty-four hour access to services with a minimum of a toll-free telephone number.
When implemented these programs...
This is a solid beginning to addressing a much larger issue.
References
Brown, L.S. (1981). Substance abuse and America: Historical perspective on the Federal response to a social phenomena. Journal of the American Medical Association, 43(6), 497-506.
DeGrandpre, R. (2006). The cult of pharmacology. Durham, C.C.: Duke University Press.
Kandel, D.B. And Andrews, K. (1987). Process of adolescent socialization by parents and peers. International Journal of the Addictions, 22, 319-342.
Marlatt, G.A. & Witkiewitz, K. (2008). Relapse Prevention for Drug and Alcohol Problems. in,
G.A. Marlatt & D.M. Donovan, (Eds.). Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors (Second Edition). New York: Guilford.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (July 2008). Drug abuse costs the United States economy hundreds of billions of dollars in increased health care costs, crime, and lost productivity. In Addiction Science: From Molecules to Managed Care. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/addiction
United States Department of Labor. (2010). In General workplace impact: Statistics. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/stats/wi.asp.
Warr, M. (1993). Parents, peers, and delinquency. Social Forces, 72, 247-264.
