New study reveals impact drug abuse has in Hoosier workplaces

A recent survey has revealed that eight out of 10 Hoosier employers have been affected in some way by use and misuse of prescription drugs.

Some 80 percent of IN employers say they’ve experienced prescription drug abuse issues at their companies, yet fewer than a third offer training around workplace drug use.

The survey involved more than 200 employers between May and August.

The office calls it a “hidden work place epidemic”.

Zoeller pointed out that these figures coincide with what he has been seeing state-wide as opioid overdoses have quickly become the number one cause of death in the state of in, surpassing automobile accidents. The National Safety Council has a Prescription Drug Employers Kit that looks to help these companies develop policies and manage opiod use at work. “We can address the problems, we also need to be part of the solutions”.

Some employers, such as Columbus-based Cummins have made awareness and treatment a focus within the business to counter the issue.

More than 60% of employers are not confident that their staff can recognize the signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse.

“It is important for employers to understand that the most fatally abused drug today may be sitting in their employees’ medicine cabinets”, Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council said in a statement. She says what’s also troubling is that while 76 percent of employers feel prescription drug abuse is a fireable offense, only about half have a written policy on prescription drug use. “And so we’re not really looking to punish people”, Shurney says.

The Council has developed a free toolkit for employers on how to deal with these employees and bring them safely back to work.