The use of illicit substances among the Australian workforce has significant implications for workers’ health, productivity, and workplace safety. The National Centre for Education and Training (NCETA) and Flinders University in South Australia, have recently published a study looking at illicit drug use amongst workers.

Illicit substance use can be particularly problematic for the workforce, as it can lead to impaired cognitive and behavioural performance, which can comprise the safety of workers and their colleagues. This issue, however, extends beyond consumption that occurs in the workplace, as individuals who consume outside of working hours may present to work while still intoxicated or experiencing withdrawals.

The Health Care and Social Assistance (N = 91,700), Construction (N = 88,142), and Accommodation and Food Services (N = 85,231) had the highest estimated numbers of weekly illicit drug users. Given that these industries are relatively populous, these estimates should be interpreted in the context of the overall workforce size. The highest estimated prevalence of use was observed in the Other Services industry (12.32 %), followed by Construction (10.23 %) and Information Media and Telecommunications (10.18 %) industries. Conversely, industries such as Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (3.27 %); Mining (4.08 %); and Public Administration and Safety (4.61 %) exhibited the lowest prevalence rates.

The study found seven percent of all workers in Australia use illicit drugs weekly, mostly cannabis. Various socio-demographic, health, and behavioural factors were linked to a higher probability of using illicit substances, including young age, male gender, and chronic pain. Additionally, workers who consumed risky levels of alcohol and currently smoked were more susceptible to using illicit drugs, highlighting a cluster of unhealthy behaviours. The results of this study are important as they could guide targeted interventions aimed at individuals who are most at risk of use.

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