Alice McEntee

Australian’s cocaine use is at record levels. Large increases occurred between 2016–2019, with significant increases predominately found among employed Australians. Patterns, and prevalence of workers’ cocaine use were examined using the 2016 and 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey data via frequency analyses. Logistic regression modelling identified predictors of employed Australian’s: cocaine use (2019); and increased use over time (2016–2019). Workers’ cocaine use increased 63% between 2016–2019 (3.8%–6.2%). Predictors of use, and increased use, were age, marital status, state, remoteness, smoking status, alcohol use, and cocaine approval level. Income and psychological distress predicted cocaine use in 2019 only. Highest prevalence in 2019 occurred among workers who approved of regular cocaine use (47.9%), currently smoked (14.9%), were very highly distressed (14.0%), risky alcohol consumers (13.7%), and aged 18–24 years (13.9%). Numerous individual-level characteristics influence workers’ cocaine use. Workplace cultural norms and substance use climates may facilitate increased cocaine use. The workplace is a powerful setting for cocaine prevention and intervention efforts. Potential strategies include targeting social norms, shifting positive drug use workplace cultures, and providing health and safety training focussing on the risk of use to self and co-workers whilst also examining demographic subgroups’ motivations for use.

Patterns, prevalence and predictors of past year cannabis use were examined by industry and occupation groups through secondary analyses of Australia’s triennial National Drug Strategy Household Surveys (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019). Frequency analyses examined cannabis prevalence. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted effects of demographics on cannabis use amongst employees overall, and within industries and occupations where prevalence differed from the employed national average. Workers’ cannabis use increased 17.4% between 2010 and 2019. Workers most likely to use cannabis in all models were male, smokers, aged 14–24 years, and with very high psychological distress levels. Prevalence was highest among trade workers (18.2%) and those in Arts and Recreation Services (26.6%). The greatest relative increases occurred in industries where prevalence levels were traditionally very low. To date, cannabis-related workplace policies and interventions have been predicated on any level of use being potentially risky. However, greater social acceptability, more lenient legal constraints, and increased medicinal use of cannabis necessitates approaches that reflect changing social norms and address the needs of workers vulnerable to harm. Findings highlight the importance of reconceptualizing risk mitigation strategies and implementing novel and effective prevention, intervention approaches and policies tailored to specific workforce settings and populations with differing risk profiles.

Australian workers’ daily tobacco smoking over time was examined by industry and occupation, to identify factors associated with high and/or low prevalence. Secondary analyses of 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Surveys were undertaken (pooled n = 49 395). Frequency analyses informed subsequent modeling of select industries and occupations. Four logistic regression models estimated adjusted effects of demographics on daily smoking in industries with high (≥20%) and low (≤15%) daily smoking prevalence and occupations with high (≥20%) and low-moderate (<20%) daily smoking prevalence. The sample comprised 55.7% men, 34.1% 25–39-year-olds, 31.4% New South Wales residents, 70.1% metropolitan residents, 66.9% high socioeconomic status workers, and 70.6% with low psychological distress. Daily smoking prevalence differed by industry and occupation in 2007, generally decreasing between 2007 and 2016. In high prevalence industries, daily smoking was associated with male gender and age (25–39-year-olds) and in low prevalence industries with males and nonmetropolitan workers. In high prevalence occupations, daily smoking was associated with males, female nonmetropolitan workers, and age 25–39 years and in low-moderate prevalence occupations with nonmetropolitan workers and negatively associated with females aged 14–24 years. In all models, increased odds of daily smoking were associated with low socioeconomic status and very high psychological distress. Low socioeconomic status and very high psychological distress were risk factors for daily smoking regardless of industry, occupation, or high preexisting smoking prevalence. Targeted, as well as universal, interventions are required for workplaces and workers with greatest smoking vulnerability and least smoking cessation progress. Specific strategies are warranted for identified industries, occupations, and subgroups with increased odds of daily tobacco smoking. Industries and occupations with low-moderate smoking prevalence may confer workers some protection but are not without risk; some subgroups in these settings (eg, nonmetropolitan areas) had elevated daily smoking risk. Hence, the following are supported: (1) universal interventions directed at low socioeconomic workers and workers with very high psychological distress regardless of workplace; (2) interventions targeted at high prevalence industries; (3) cessation efforts targeted for young workers in high prevalence industries and occupations; and (4) focused interventions addressing specific needs of nonmetropolitan at-risk workers in low prevalence industries.

Older workers are increasingly prevalent in health and human services, including the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. Their turnover intentions have important implications for service system stability and retention. Descriptive and regression analyses of survey data examined age-related differences (<50, ≥50 years old) in non-government workers' demographic, health and professional profiles and predictors of turnover intention. Older workers (≥50 years, n = 86) comprised one-third of this workforce. Compared to younger workers (n = 164), they experienced greater discrimination but higher work-life balance and work engagement. Turnover intention was predicted by job satisfaction, discrimination and work engagement. Older workers' well-being and workforce retention are essential for effective leadership, succession planning and service continuity. Their needs and retention motivations are identified. Age-specific support mechanisms, proactive retention and anti-discrimination strategies are identified priorities.

Issues addressed: Recent reductions in young people's risky alcohol use have been widely documented but have not been examined among employed youth. Young workers’ risky drinking may have corresponded with increased illicit drug use. This study investigated these issues.Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted for 15‐24 year old Australian workers using nationally representative data from 2007 to 2016. Frequency analyses examined alcohol and illicit drug use, Z scores assessed differences over time, and logistic regression examined predictors of illicit drug use.Results: Risky drinking decreased significantly over time whilst low‐risk drinking increased. This pattern was observed for both young workers and young employed illicit drug users. Whilst “any” illicit drug use did not change over time, methamphetamine use decreased, and cannabis and hallucinogen use increased. Drinking alcohol at risky levels (monthly) was associated with illicit drug use in 2016, as were being single and having high/very high levels of psychological distress.Conclusions: Risky drinking reductions over time have not corresponded with increased illicit drug use. Nonetheless, as risky drinking remains high among young workers, and is strongly associated with illicit drug use, it warrants concerted health promotion efforts that may also help minimise illicit drug use.So what?: Despite a reduction in young workers’ risky alcohol consumption, risky drinking is still high and may impact the health and safety of workers and the wider community. As risky drinking is strongly associated with illicit drug use, workplaces could potentially play a vital role in combating alcohol and illicit drug misuse.

To identify strengths and challenges faced by alcohol and other drug (AOD) non-government (NGO) workers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia to inform future workforce planning initiatives. An onlin...

Effective delivery of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment is reliant on a skilled, experienced, and satisfied workforce. The need to recruit and train workers is universally acknowledged. It is ...

Purpose: Risky alcohol and other drug (AOD) use is ubiquitous in some workplace cultures, and is associated with considerable risks to health, safety and productivity. A workplace drug and alcohol first aid program was developed to support supervisors and managers to recognize and respond appropriately to AOD problems, increase knowledge of AOD and reduce the stigma associated with AOD. The purpose of this paper is to undertake an evaluation to assess the program’s efficacy.Design/methodology/approach: A self-report survey was administered to program participants before (T1), immediately after (T2) and three months following program completion (T3). Changes in alcohol/drug-related knowledge, role adequacy, motivation and personal views were examined using repeated measures ANOVA.Findings: A total of 109 participants took part in the program, with only 26 completing scores at all three time points. Mean scores increased significantly (p<0.05) between T1 and T2 for knowledge (12.7–16.0), role adequacy (11.8–17.4), motivation (9.7–10.4) and personal views (9.0–9.6). Significant improvements were maintained at T3 for knowledge (15.1) and role adequacy (17.3).Practical implications: Drug and alcohol first aid programs offer a potentially valuable initiative to improve the knowledge, skills and understanding of managers and supervisors in tackling workplace AOD risks, associated stigma and improving help seeking.Originality/value: Workplace programs for managers can facilitate organization-wide responses to the reduction of AOD-related problems, increase implementation of appropriate policy and interventions, minimize associated harms and stigma and reduce negative imposts on productivity and profit.

A global online survey of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) professionals regarding EAP characteristics and development was conducted. Seventy-four respondents from 25 countries participated. Key developmental drivers identified were consumer demand and industry-based initiatives. EAPs were typically delivered by private “for-profit” organizations. EAP services predominantly comprised relationship, mental health, and trauma counseling delivered over four to five sessions through various delivery modes. Increasing focus on well-being and greater utilization of technology were reported. Few EAP-specific qualifications were offered, and professional standards were mostly voluntary. Although EAPs were perceived to generally be effective, they may encounter challenges in maintaining high-quality service provision into the future.

Introduction and Aims: Health and community service workers frequently encounter people with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems in the course of their work, yet few have had training on how to respond effectively. A Drug and Alcohol First Aid workshop was developed by Lyndon, a non‐government organisation treatment provider, and delivered to community and health sector workers and the general public. It presented evidence‐based information regarding AOD use and harm reduction and treatment options. A pilot evaluation of the workshop was conducted to assess changes in participants’ knowledge about AOD, methods of responding to use and attitudes towards individuals who use AOD, over a 3 month period.Design and Methods: A self‐report evaluation survey was developed and administered to workshop participants at three time points: before (T1), immediately after (T2) and 3 months after the workshop (T3). Paired samples t‐tests examined changes in knowledge, role adequacy, motivation and personal views.Results: A total of 142 participants completed the T1 survey, 184 completed the T2 survey and 98 completed the T3 survey. Between T1 and T2, there were significant increases in scores for knowledge and role adequacy, indicating significant improvements in these areas. No significant differences were found for motivation and personal views. At T3, knowledge and role adequacy scores remained significantly higher than at baseline.Discussion and Conclusions: Drug and Alcohol First Aid appears to be a viable initiative to improve AOD‐related knowledge and role adequacy. However, alternative strategies may be required to shift negative attitudes towards individuals who use AOD. [Kostadinov VR, Roche AM, McEntee A, Allan JM, Meumann NR, McLaughlin LL. Brief workshops to teach drug and alcohol first aid: A pilot evaluation study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:23–27]