The percentage of Americans using illicit drugs has increased in recent years and a share of that activity takes place in hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s annual drug use survey found that the portion of people who used illicit drugs increased from 22.2% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2024, the most recent year for which the government reported data. That’s more than 70 million Americans.
The upshot of these results is that a hospitality facility’s guests and employees—especially cleaning staff and contract cleaners—might be subject to hazardous exposure incidents. Drug residue can rapidly contaminate hotel rooms, restaurant tables, restrooms, and public spaces. People who have overdosed also pose an exposure threat when cleaners, security personnel, or bystanders attempt to help an unconscious individual.
Fortunately, hospitality sector businesses can take steps to bolster safety practices, protect guests and employees, and limit their liability amid the proliferation of fentanyl and other dangerous substances.
Know the risks
Illicit drug use in hospitality venues isn’t a new problem. But the growth in the types and potency of synthetic drugs is a recent development. The College of American Pathologists’ 2025 drug listing identified nearly 40 types of novel opioids, including fentanyl and similar drugs, as well as 20 varieties of benzodiazepines, which are also classified as synthetics.
The danger is real. But many organizations are playing with luck regarding narcotic exposure. No one knows the potency of the smashed-up pills a hospitality venue worker might find discarded in a plastic bag. Workers or guests could touch the powdery drug residue and then transfer it to their face, where it can get in their nose or mouth. The powder can also be absorbed through an open cut on their hand.
Drug hazards are not limited to direct contact. HVAC systems could spread powdered synthetic drugs into the air, where they become an inhalation hazard.
These risks are continuous in the hospitality industry as venue owners often have limited control over who enters their establishments and what they are carrying. The nonstop flow of customers virtually guarantees at least a few will use illicit drugs.
Turn to the experts
Hospitality operators must familiarize in-house and contract cleaning employees with decontamination best practices, but they may not be knowledgeable in these practices themselves. In this instance, they can reach out to environmental health and safety consulting firms that specialize in narcotics decontamination.
Hospitality venues can also contact their local fire departments and law enforcement agencies for assistance. This option could prove helpful for smaller hospitality venues, which might lack the resources to hire a consulting organization.
Fire departments have specialists trained to handle hazardous materials. Some law enforcement officers also have hazmat training. Those first responders can visit an establishment and discuss the best practices for managing contaminated areas.
Step up with training
The core problem—whether it’s at a high-profile facility attracting large crowds or a neighborhood venue with a typical weekend group—is a lack of training among hospitality cleaning teams. The first step in training is situational awareness. Before cleaning any room or area, housekeeping staff must review it thoroughly for signs of narcotic contamination. Vials and needles are obvious signs of drug use. But cleaning teams may not know to look for powdery substances on a counter, bathroom surface, or nightstand. They may be careless in handling discarded plastic bags that might still contain traces of drugs, or contaminated washcloths that venue guests used to wipe up drug residue.
Housekeeping managers must set up a rigorous process for dealing with narcotic contamination. A key part of this process is ensuring the facility stocks cleaning supplies that are effective in neutralizing hazardous substances.
Many hospitality venues stock anti-overdose medications for emergencies. However, they often fail to consider the contamination threat that employees, guests, or first responders face when they find an unconscious individual. Medication can save a life, but it doesn’t remove the threat of drug residue.
Hospitality operators can drastically reduce their legal liability when they offer adequate employee training in decontamination processes and maintain proper cleaning supplies or decontamination solutions. These protective measures can also help shield them from reputational harm, as narcotic issues signal to customers that the establishment is unsafe.
Safety measures aren’t strictly for playing defense, however. A hospitality venue that highlights their cleaning and decontamination process will stand out from the competition.
Avoid decontamination mistakes
The goal of efficient decontamination is to evaluate and identify a drug threat quickly, then thoroughly clean and decontaminate the area to make it safe for the next guests. A lack of training and hazard awareness can lead to mistakes that not only harm guests, but also facility staff.
Some common mistakes cleaning professionals make when dealing with narcotics contamination and overdoses include:
- Failing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Hospitality managers must make PPE available to staff members when they are cleaning a suspicious substance or helping a person who has overdosed. Hand protection, such as disposable nitrile gloves, are key, along with eye protection and a KN95 mask.
- Working too quickly. Cleaners should take the extra time needed to look for signs of contamination and thoroughly clean the area where they suspect drug use has occurred.
- Failing to use adequate cleaning solutions. Hospitality managers must ensure that narcotic-neutralizing solutions are available to cleaning crews.
- Reusing cleaning materials. Reusing cleaning materials from room to room is dangerous as it increases the risks of cross contamination. Disposable wipes and towels, safely discarded after each use, eliminate that problem.
- Neglecting quality control. Managers must continuously reassess their decontamination process. Does it work as planned? How can it be improved?
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol opens cuts and skin pores on a person’s hand. This increases the risk of absorption if any narcotic residue remains on the hands. Handwashing with soap and water is best. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol opens cuts and skin pores on a person’s hand. This increases the risk of absorption if any narcotic residue remains on the hands. Handwashing with soap and water is best.
Keep communication open
The proper procedures, training, and equipment will not be enough to keep a venue safe if its cleaning team members are unwilling to talk to management about any drug activity they come upon. Having an open communication policy is crucial. In-house cleaning staff and contract cleaners must know that they can report suspicious activity to management irrespective of what they are reporting.
When open communication is combined with risk awareness and decontamination training, hospitality venues can do what they do best: provide comfort and entertainment.
