An executive from a small drug testing operation addressing a group of human resources professionals told them (and me) that more than three-quarters of all workplace injuries are due to drug use. Now remember, 5.2 million workers in the United States suffer occupational injuries or illnesses annually. I can’t fathom that over 4 million people get hurt in the workplace each year because they are drugged or drunk.

Other “facts” circulate about substance abuse at work. A safety person at a large glass plant told me “A lady gave us a seminar at the plant and stated that something like 80% of all accidents are drug or alcohol related.”

If the post-injury testing results are accurate, why do we need OSHA? Safety and health specialists? It’s pretty obvious all we need to do is eliminate the influence of drugs and alcohol in the workplace and our injuries drop by 80%! Let me be very clear. I want sober people working where I work. But I also have fundamental belief in the goodness of the American worker. I’ll grant that some stray off the path and pay the consequences through injury, but not 4 million!

So what’s the real picture?  Click here to find out...