Hospitality sector hit by drink and drug abuse

Alcohol and drug abuse is reaching epidemic proportions across the
hospitality sector, as restaurateurs, hoteliers and their staff struggle to
cope with stress and lack of sleep from shift work.

A survey by Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, found 97 per cent of
hospitality professionals believe alcohol and drug abuse is a problem for their
industry.

More than one in two reported that the combined effects have reached
"worrying" levels.

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The survey of almost 1,000 hospitality professionals found 40 per cent of
respondents had seen colleagues take illegal drugs while at work, and 59 per
cent had seen colleagues drinking to excess while on duty. Alcohol emerged as
the bigger problem of the two, with 99 per cent of respondents identifying it
as a problem for the industry.

The most common reasons given by people who took drugs at work were "to
stay awake during the shift", and "to help cope with stress".