The Misuse of Prescription Drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Misuse of Prescription Drugs - Essay Example s such as painkillers, tranquilizers, stimulants, or sedatives without the appropriate prescription from a medical practitioner simply for the experience that results from using the drug. Employees may use prescription drugs to get high, stay awake or avoid sleep while others may use such un-prescribed drugs for actual medical needs. The most significant reason behind the habit is the fact that it does not receive the attention it deserves due to efforts placed primarily on traditional drug abuse such as cocaine. Most individuals are also oblivious of the addictive effect that may accompany misuse of such drugs, while the reality is that even simple and seemingly harmless sharing of medication may be accompanied by profound addiction and negative consequences. Some of the symptoms of misuse of prescription drugs include sudden mood changes, heightened irritability and aggressiveness. Others include confusion, concentration fluctuations, reduced productivity, frequent short term sick leaves, deterioration in people skills, dishonesty and theft as the individual seeks to maintain the expensive habit (HSE 5). Misuse of prescription drugs should particularly gain the attention of management in today’s firms due to a number of reasons. First, the issue is now relevant than ever as literature and research indicate that it is on the rise. It mainly affects the young employees i.e. generation X and Y (Maxwell 1), whose workplace culture is already an issue of concern to the manager (Tolbize 2-4). The impacts of misuse of prescription drugs in the workplace can be studied based on the employees abusing the drugs themselves, fellow workers, the management and the workplace as a unit. The effects of abusing prescription drugs by employees concern both their medical and social well-being. They may experience health problems, addiction and psychological issues which affect their personal, family, social and professional lives and ultimately trickle down to the firm’s