A recent CDC report reveals distressing trends in drug overdose deaths, spotlighting the heightened vulnerability of construction and restaurant workers in 2020. The study, analyzing data from 46 states and New York City, emphasizes the disproportionate challenges faced by specific sectors in the U.S. workforce.

Construction workers top the list with a staggering 131 deaths per 100,000, closely followed by restaurant workers at 99 deaths per 100,000. These varying rates underscore a significant health equity issue within the workforce.

Researchers identify two intersecting pathways...

Ever wondered about drug test kits and their role in understanding substance use at your workplace?

Drug test kits come in various types, including urine, saliva, hair, and surface tests, each designed to detect specific drugs or substances. Urine test kits are simple and cover a broad spectrum of substances. Saliva test kits offer quick results and are ideal for recent drug use checks. Hair test kits offer insights into long-term drug use history. And there are even surface drug test kits, which can test for lingering drug residue on things.

Benefits of using drug test kits include:

As we approach the holiday season, it's crucial to address a growing concern that affects workplaces across the nation—opioid use. The opioid epidemic continues to claim lives, and its impact extends into the professional realm.

Opioids, including prescription painkillers and synthetics like fentanyl, caused over 80,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2021.¹ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 220 people die daily from opioid overdoses, often involving dangerous variations of fentanyl.²

Why Small Business Owners Should Pay Attention:

Workplace Safety...

Testing for marijuana impairment is like navigating a maze – it's tricky, and the rules aren't as straightforward as they are for alcohol. Unlike a clear blood alcohol concentration limit for alcohol (like the 0.08% legal limit for driving), figuring out if someone is impaired by marijuana isn't as simple. Tests for THC, the active component in marijuana, can show positive results long after any "high" has worn off. It's a bit like finding footprints but not knowing exactly when the person walked by.

Adding to the confusion, the type of test matters. Whether it's a urine, blood, or hair...

Addressing Overdose Risks: A Call for Workplace Support for Healthcare Workers

New research covering the years 2008 to 2019 reveals a troubling rise in drug overdose cases among healthcare workers. Nurses, social and behavioral healthcare workers, and healthcare support staff are facing increased risks, highlighting the urgent need for action.

The impact on workplaces is significant. Social workers and behavioral healthcare workers are more than twice as likely to experience a fatal overdose compared to others, while health support workers, including those in-home healthcare, face a...

The Biden administration recently launched the Recovery-Ready Workplace initiative, along with an online hub, urging employers nationwide to actively support individuals in recovery from addiction. The program provides a toolkit for employers and endorses a model state law to incentivize businesses to become "recovery-friendly" workplaces. With over 20 million Americans in recovery, the initiative aims to combat discrimination faced by those seeking employment while presenting a mutually beneficial opportunity for both individuals and businesses.

Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House...

In light of the evolving legal framework surrounding marijuana in various states, employers must pay attention to the latest research findings concerning this substance. While a common perception exists that marijuana can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, it is crucial to acknowledge that the association between marijuana and anxiety is a subject under ongoing investigation. Current data suggests that marijuana may not deliver the anxiety-relief benefits as often depicted in promotional marketing for the drug.

Anxiety is a prevalent condition, and several states have recognized it as a...

Let's celebrate #DrugFreeWorkWeek2023!

This week, Drug Free America Foundation and the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance are committed to fostering a safe and healthy workplace for all. Join us in promoting a drug-free environment for our colleagues and employees. Check out valuable resources here: https://www.ndwa.org/resources/national-drug-free-work-week/

Don't miss the FREE webinar "The Modern Drug Free Workplace Program with Discussion of Marijuana Testing" with Joe Reilly happening Monday, 10/16 at 10:00 am EST! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2p953m96

We will host...

The National Safety Council reports that while 75% of U.S. employers are affected by the opioid crisis, only 17% feel prepared to tackle it.1 Employers can either hinder recovery or provide crucial support to employees during their journey to recovery.

One significant finding from research being done at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is that there is a significant lack of education and awareness among employers when it comes to working with individuals who are actively using opioids or are in recovery.2 Clair Reynolds Kueny, the principal investigator for the...

The Quest Diagnostics 2023 Drug Testing Index and Industry Insights Report reported that the workplace drug positivity rate is the highest it has been in 20 years.1 In the last five years, every industry tested had an increase in positive drug tests (with “Accommodations and Food Service” having the highest rates in this latest report).1

With these realities challenging workplace safety, it is imperative for even small business owners to implement a drug-free workplace policy.

Implementing a drug-free program can lead to numerous improvements within your organization:

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...