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October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

A billion dollars. 

That's how much drug and alcohol abuse costs the US economy every single day, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). And employers bear a large share of the burden. 

Employees who struggle with substance addiction are more likely to show up late or miss work, perform poorly on the job, and have conflicts with coworkers or supervisors. They're also more likely to get injured or have an accident, driving up insurance premiums and resulting in unnecessary pain and suffering.

What's more, the vast majority of Americans who struggle with addiction are employed — which means that employers have an important role to play in addressing and preventing substance abuse. 

This October, employers around the country will hold events and education in honor of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month — an annual event to start the conversation about substance abuse and save lives.  There are countless ways to participate, but we've compiled a list of 10 ideas to help you recognize Substance Abuse Prevention Month in your workplace:

National Substance Abuse Prevention Month Ideas 2021

 

  1. Create or update your drug-free workplace policy. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a page devoted to developing a drug-free policy with examples to help you get started. 
  2. Review the policy with existing employees and new hires. If you haven’t already, consider making this part of your employee onboarding program.  
  3. Screen employees carefully before hiring. This can help reduce the chances of hiring someone who uses illicit drugs.
  4. Provide employee education about the hazards of substance abuse and ways to prevent substance abuse, as well as healthy habits to manage stress. 
  5. Train supervisors and employees to recognize the signs of substance abuse. Common warning signs include changes in work habits, increased absenteeism, frequent breaks or disappearances from the worksite, confusion, lack of attention, and a decline in personal appearance or hygiene.
  6. Provide a system for employees to report concerns about substance misuse in the workplace. Paper forms, web forms, mobile apps, and hotlines are a few of the ways employees can provide feedback. Whichever avenue you choose, be sure you have a method to ensure follow up so that issues don’t slip through the cracks.  
  7. Reduce risk factors in the work environment. Work-related injuries and on-the-job stress are two common risk factors that can contribute to substance misuse. 
  8. Consider team building activities that don’t include alcohol. Happy hours and work parties that involve alcohol can contribute to drinking norms and foster an unhealthy workplace drinking culture. 
  9. Offer a health benefit package that is responsive to prescription drug misuse issues. A well-structured plan should include prevention, screening, early intervention, treatment, follow-up, and relapse prevention. 
  10. Share treatment resources like SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP, which provides 24/7, 365 information and treatment referral service.

Next Steps: Download the Free Safety Calendar

Participating in National Substance Abuse Prevention Month is an important step toward a healthier workplace all year round. For more ideas, download Perillon's free annual safety calendar.

Download the free 2023 workplace safety calendar