As we step into September, a month dedicated to National Recovery, it's crucial to acknowledge the challenges many individuals face in their journey towards well-being. In today's fast-paced and demanding work environments, employees grapple with a myriad of personal difficulties that can significantly affect their overall health and job performance. One such challenge, often shrouded in stigma, is substance use disorder—a multifaceted issue with far-reaching implications for both individuals and the organizations they serve.

Substance use disorders can cast a shadow over an individual's...

The United States Senate has proclaimed August 21 to be Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day,1 in a move to increase perception of the dangers of this particularly potent opioid drug.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl  has led to a substantial increase in the amount of drug overdose deaths  - with 70,601 reported in 2021.3 Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, 100 times more potent than morphine, and only 2mg of the drug can cause sudden death.2

Fentanyl is often used as a combination product to cut other drugs, and has been found in cocaine, heroin, Xanax, Adderall and marijuana as well...

Some workplaces in the UK are turning to a unique company with a fascinating new and noninvasive way to test for drugs in the workplace –Intelligent Fingerprinting. Using the company's Drug Screening Cartridges, in the space of about 10 minutes, their DSR-Plus portable reader can have results. The cartridges work by detecting target drugs and their metabolites (substances produced by the body when a drug metabolizes) within tiny traces of sweat in fingerprints (Intelligent Fingerprinting, 2023). The system will generally pick up on drugs used within the past 24 hours, with some exceptions.

Mo...

On August 1st, 2023, Minnesota will become the 23rd state (plus the District of Columbia) to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. As this trend continues to sweep the United States, many employers are choosing to remove marijuana from their pre-employment drug testing panels. The state of Michigan, for example, is removing marijuana from their pre-employment drug testing for state employees (excepting certain positions, such as law enforcement or heavy machine operators).1

This decision comes partially as a result of relaxed societal attitudes about marijuana usage, but also from...

Rob Chestnut, former general counsel and Justice Department prosecutor, recently wrote a piece for Bloomberg Law, pointing out the dangers of microdosing at work -- particularly with the rise of a microdosing psychedelic culture in a number of corporate spheres. Microdosing, particularly of psychedelics (like psilocybin), is when a person consumes very low doses of a drug in an attempt to experience some of the wanted effects of that substance and to avoid getting "high.

With so many companies relaxing attitudes toward drug policies, especially around drugs like marijuana, there is plenty of...

Drug testing is a prevention and deterrent method that is often part of a comprehensive drug-free workplace program. Any workplace drug-testing program should comply with applicable laws.

Conducting Drug Tests

Tests may be done by a trained collector who may visit the workplace to collect specimens, or employees may go to an accredited laboratory that is certified for workplace testing. To ensure accuracy, the specimen’s “chain of custody” or tracking method must be continuous from the initial receipt until its disposal.

Employers that are implementing a drug testing program should address...

Workplaces provide an important role in helping employees battling against substance use disorders. According to the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), “Employment provides economic stability, a meaningful social role, and often direct access to treatment and recovery services.”   Here are some considerations for employers to reduce stigma in the work environment: 

• Educate supervisors and employees to understand the condition of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and eliminating the prejudice of stigma.
• Utilize an Employee Assistance Program to support all workers...

Recovery helps all workers! Workplaces that support employees' recovery from substance use disorders can reap benefits and contribute to the health and wellbeing of all employees. Benefits include increased productivity, improved morale, safer workplace, greater employee retention, and a more positive working environment.

How do you promote recovery in your workplace?

Download the resource!

It is important for employers to regularly promote the policy and program of their drug free workplace so that all employees are fully aware of its provisions and understand the importance of worker safety and health. Like other company safety policies, the drug free workplace program should be reinforced through an annual review that is worth the investment.

The education should be directly provided by the employer and would be applicable to all workers regardless of their role in the company. It should include but is not limited to the following program related questions and topics:

On the occasion of Drug Free Work Week, Drug Free America Foundation updated and re-released its workplace resource on substance use and mental health.

Comorbid substance use and mental health disorders can have significant impacts on employees and the workplace. This means that a person has both disorders at the same time that can lead to a worsened outcome.  Both disorders can have a profound effect on a worker’s ability to remain focused on the job.  For example, drugs and alcohol can alter the brain’s ability to function properly and can cause workplace accidents, absenteeism, and a...

Welcome to this special episode of the Pathways 2 Prevention Podcast: We are proud to announce the 14th annual anniversary observance of NATIONAL DRUG-FREE WORK WEEK, OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2022. This yearly public awareness campaign highlights the importance of a drug-free workplace and encourages workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

Please listen to the Pathways 2 Prevention Podcast: Drug Free Work Week Edition

Calling All Workplace Stakeholders

DON'T MISS THESE TWO DRUG FREE WORK WEEK WEBINARS!

No cost & must register in advance

Marijuana and the Workplace

Tuesday October 18, 2022

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Webinar Summary

With more states than ever legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, many employers are confused about the lack of information and the best practices to address it in their workplace. Hear from marijuana and drug testing expert Jo McGuire, Executive Director of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) about what employers need to know about...

As a growing movement, International Recovery Day is celebrated on September 30th annually to bring about a cohesive global effort to recognize that recovery is possible and that there is hope in a new life after addiction.

Participation in the workplace is an essential part of recovery and employers are encouraged to support their employees through their recovery journey.  This can be accomplished through promoting a comprehensive drug free workplace program that includes education for all workers, training for supervisors, an employee assistance program (EAP), health insurance that includes...

The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has produced this very important evidence-based resource for families related to personal behavioral skills such as compassion and empathy; caring that includes patience, praise, and physical activity; and listening to help children grow healthy and safe.

Developing social and emotional learning and life skills in children allows them to navigate challenges and creates resiliency that helps them form a strong connection with their parents and family and resist substance use.

Sharing this resource with parents in the workplace provides...

Annually, August 31 is known as International Overdose Awareness Day, a day that we pause to remember those who have died from an overdose and with their loved ones, to share in the grief of their loss. We also recognize the many who continue to live with the stigma associated with having a family member or friend die from an overdose.  

According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in their 2021 World Drug Report, approximately 62 million people (or 1.2% of the global population) used opioids for non-medical purposes in 2019. In the U.S., over 100,000 people died from...

Data from the Quest Diagnostics 2022 Drug Testing Index (DTI) has shown that positive workplace drug tests have continued to escalate. This increase mirrors results of other national surveys, such as the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, that indicate the overall use of drugs increased last year.  The DTI findings revealed that the level of positive drug tests was up 4.6% for 2021 versus 4.4% the prior year.  This overall number is up more that 30% from the historic low of 3.5% in their 2010-2012 analysis.

With fewer available workers seeking jobs, some employers are making a...

We're sharing a link to this great article from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) about how workplaces adapted and addressed substance use, addiction, recovery, and stigma in the workplace during the pandemic.  

SHRM | Theresa Agovino | October 2, 2021

The COVID-19 Crisis Has Brought Substance Abuse to Light

Alcohol and drug use surged during the pandemic, forcing substance use disorders—one of the last taboo subjects in corporate America—into the spotlight.

Read the Article

The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has published a comprehensive workplace toolkit for the prevention and response to opioids and substance use.

The NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) has developed an awareness-level training tool on the prevention of occupational exposure to fentanyl and other opioids, and a second curriculum designed to address the impact of the opioid crisis on workers, the workplace, and the community. Please click on the link below to see and download training curricula, and an array of health and safety resources related to opioid...

According to the World Health Organization, the tobacco epidemic has tremendously impacted global public health with more than 8 million deaths per year and another 1.2 million deaths due to second-hand smoke.

With over 1.3 billion tobacco users, more than 80% reside in low to middle income countries that bear the burden of illness and mortality from its use. Tobacco use contributes to poverty through diversion of household spending to tobacco rather than food or shelter.

The economic costs of tobacco use are considerable and includes healthcare and loss of productivity. In fact, research at...

Identifying Workplace Impairment and Next Steps for Employers

Check out a new workplace impairment webinar featuring great information for employers faced with documenting reasonable suspicion of substance use. The webinar features Dr. Donna Smith of Drug Free America Foundation and Kathy Strain of Drug Free Workplace Pennsylvania who provide practical tips to guide employers.

Download resources:

Webinar Recording

Dr. Donna Smith - Marijuana in the Workplace (Impairment)

Kathy Strain - Identifying Workplace Impairment & Next Steps for Employers