Drugs and alcohol not the only sources of workplace impairment

Dr. Ray Baker, a clinical professor at the UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, spoke to the Journal of Commerce about workplace impairment.

According to Baker, construction has one of the highest addiction rates, with alcohol the most commonly used substance, followed by marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs such as fentanyl and oxycodone.

“There’s an opiate epidemic going on now. In Canada and the U.S. the source is family doctors who have been encouraged by the pharmaceutical industry to prescribe opiate medication to manage pain,” said Baker.