Cocaine & Employment
This section provides information about cocaine use and employment. Differences in use patterns between employed and unemployed Australians, as well as those not in the labour force, are also examined.
The primary source of data used in this section is the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians' awareness, attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population employment profile of Australians’ cocaine use.
What negative consequences does cocaine use have for Australian workplaces?
Cocaine use is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the workplace, including accidents, injuries, absenteeism and low productivity.
Cocaine use can impair concentration, coordination and judgement and produce symptoms of anxiety, paranoia, exhilaration and intolerance to pain and fatigue.
Employees who use cocaine can present a potential danger at work, especially if the user is operating machinery or driving a vehicle.
Source: SafeWork Australia, Work-related alcohol and drug use. A fit for work issue, March 2007; McEntee A, Roche A, Kim S. Increasing cocaine use amongst employed Australians: who is most at-risk? Ind Health. 2022 Feb 15. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2021-0159.
Is the employment status of Australians related to cocaine use?
Six percent of employed Australians used cocaine in the past 12 months compared to 4% of unemployed Australians, and 1% of Australians who are not in the labour force.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: No statistical significance testing has been conducted on these data. As a result, no inferences can be made about whether the reported proportions are significantly different from one another.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Employment Status: Whether an individual is currently: a) employed; b) unemployed; or c) not in the labour force.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.
Unemployed: Those who are not currently working and are actively seeking employment.
Does cocaine use among employed Australians vary by gender?
Seven percent of employed Australian men used cocaine in the past 12 months, compared to 5% of employed women.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: No statistical significance testing has been conducted on these data. As a result, no inferences can be made about whether the reported proportions are significantly different from one another.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Does cocaine use among employed Australians vary by age?
Rates of past year cocaine use among different age groups of employed Australians are presented in the graph below.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: No statistical significance testing has been conducted on these data. As a result, no inferences can be made about whether the reported proportions are significantly different from one another.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Does cocaine use among Australians not in the labour force vary by gender?
Among Australians not in the labour force, 2% of men and 1% of women reported having used cocaine in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: No statistical significance testing has been conducted on these data. As a result, no inferences can be made about whether the reported proportions are significantly different from one another.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.