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Show Alcohol Abuse in Utah Costs $52 Million a Year Not considering human suffering, suf-fering, the State Division of Alcoholism and Drugs estimates esti-mates that alcohol abuse costs Utah's industrial economy $52.9 million a year. National figures compiled by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare places alcoholism costs to business at $9.35 billion. This makes alcohol not only the most abused drug, but one of the most expensive. According to Yvonne G. Dehm, Occupational Program Consultant for the Division of Alcoholism and Drugs, the economic loss comes from "reduced productivity, absenteeism, absen-teeism, excessive use of sick leave, on-the-job accidents, turnover rates and other incalculable costs." Utah's estimated work force for 1975 was 479,000. Of those workers about five percent (23,950) have problems with alcohol," said Ms. Dehm. There are programs designed to help the alcoholic employee overcome his illness. "Presently "Pres-ently there are approximately 20 occupational programs operating op-erating in various government, business and industrial organizations organ-izations in Utah, but these are only scratching the surface," stated Ms. Dehm. One of the reasons there are not more occupational programs pro-grams is lack of employer education. Ms. Dehm admits that the employer must learn to recognize alcohol problems and realize that employee assistance programs can be effective. According to Division of Alcoholism and Drugs statistics, statis-tics, 60-80 percent recovery rates are reported by the occupational programs. These programs capitalize on the most effective motivational tool to date: the alcoholic employee's desire to hold his job. The successful operation of an occupational program not only saves dollars for the employer, it provides a genuine genu-ine humanitarian service. It also eliminates the need to cover up for or protect the alcoholic person, a definite act of misplaced kindness. |
