Identifying predictors of Australian workers' illicit substance use: A nationally representative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Occupational Health
• Drug Use Epidemiology

Background:

• Illicit substance use in the Australian workforce impacts worker health, safety, and productivity.
• Understanding prevalence and associated factors is crucial for effective workplace interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of weekly illicit drug use among Australian workers.
• To identify specific substances used and associated sociodemographic, health, and behavioral factors.
• To inform targeted interventions for Australian workers.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis of employed participants (N=12,557) from the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
• Descriptive statistics to determine prevalence and substance use patterns.
• Multivariate logistic regression to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Seven percent (estimated N=913,356) of Australian workers reported weekly illicit drug use.
• Cannabis was the most commonly used substance (5.35%).
• The Construction industry exhibited high prevalence (10.23%) and user numbers (N=88,142).
• Factors associated with increased use included male gender, younger age (14-24), unmarried status, chronic pain, smoking, and high-risk alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight significant illicit drug use within the Australian workforce, particularly in the Construction industry.
• Specific demographic, health, and behavioral factors are strongly associated with increased risk.
• Results provide evidence for developing targeted interventions to mitigate risks and improve workforce health and productivity.