Opioid addiction reason for lower workforce participation?

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

I've read that it is definitely an issue because in certain parts of the country, employers who demand pre-employment drug screening are having a hell of a time finding clean, qualified candidates. In many cases, the only clean & qualified people are immigrants.

It's amazing to me that this could account for a "20% overall decline". Here in MI, where the opioid addiction issue is supposedly among the worst, we've seen an improving labor participation rate.

http://spartanideas.msu.edu/2017/04/...united-states/

Have to wonder how accurate this suggestion is.