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Illicit Drug Use, Absenteeism, And Earnings At Six U.S. Worksites

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  • MICHAEL T. FRENCH
  • GARY A. ZARKIN
  • LAURA J. DUNLAP

Abstract

Considerable national attention has focused recently on the adverse consequences of illicit drug use. While several studies estimate the relationship between illicit drug use and wages, the findings are inconsistent. Surprisingly, some researchers identify a positive and statistically significant relationship between wages and drug use for young adults. Motivated by this counter‐intuitive finding, this paper compiles unique data on employees at six worksites in order to explore the relationships among drug use, wages, and absenteeism. Using various measures of current and lifetime drug use and accounting for alcohol‐use comorbidity, the authors find predominantly insignificant relationships (both direct and indirect) between drug use and both wages and absenteeism, regardless of gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael T. French & Gary A. Zarkin & Laura J. Dunlap, 1998. "Illicit Drug Use, Absenteeism, And Earnings At Six U.S. Worksites," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 16(3), pages 334-346, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:16:y:1998:i:3:p:334-346
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.1998.tb00523.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Carlos Casacuberta & Mariana Gerstenblüth & Patricia Triunfo, 2012. "Aportes del análisis económico al estudio de las drogas," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 0112, Department of Economics - dECON.
    2. Jeremy W. Bray & Gary A. Zarkin & Chris Ringwalt & Junfeng Qi, 2000. "The relationship between marijuana initiation and dropping out of high school," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(1), pages 9-18, January.
    3. Andrén, Daniela, 2001. "Short-Term Absenteeism Due To Sickness: The Swedish Experience, 1986 - 1991," Working Papers in Economics 46, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    4. Pierre Kébreau Alexandre & Michael T. French, 2004. "Further Evidence on the Labor Market Effects of Addiction: Chronic Drug Use and Employment in Metropolitan Miami," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(3), pages 382-393, July.

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