Drug Use and Abuse Among Tourism Workers
This is part of Adventure, Culinary, Tourism (ACT) Faculty lecture series.
Dr. Yaniv Belhassen of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will present research and lead the discussion. His presentation is titled Smoking Under the Tourist Gaze: Drug Use and Abuse Among Tourism Workers
Abstract
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 77 per cent of illicit drug users in the United States are employed. This organization's recent survey also shows that food preparation workers, waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and other service occupation workers are at the highest risk of falling into substance abuse.
Similar findings were reported in 2007 by the Australian government in its Australian Safety and Compensation Council research report, which revealed that hospitality employees had used illicit drugs more than employees in any other sector, in a one-year period
- 31 per cent in hospitality
- followed by 24 per cent in construction
- 21 per cent in retail
Based on an ongoing research project conducted in Eilat, Israel’s most prominent resort town, preliminary data will be presented on the scope of the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs among hotel industry employees.
In addition, findings regarding the relationship between variables associated with the nature of work (e.g., back-stage vs. front-stage jobs), the way it is perceived by the workers (e.g., work alienation and job satisfaction), and the frequency of using substances will also be presented and discussed.
