# Presentation: 051956

## Workplace Substance Abuse Prevention

**Workplace Substance Abuse Prevention**

- Information provided by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse

**Notes:**
In today’s economy, employers are looking for ways to reduce costs to at least maintain their bottom-line, if not to increase it.   The cost of health care is sky rocketing.  It is making it difficult, if not impossible, for businesses to provide health benefits for their employees and for employees to afford the health care they need.  

Research confirms that a major opportunity for economic impact is in keeping low-risk, healthy employees from moving into higher-risk categories.  Implementing strategies to help workers stay healthy is critical to lowering costs. Offering a range of wellness options - campaigns, contests, print materials, and online health improvement programs along with rewards for reinforcement - is a proven strategy for keeping healthy people healthy. 
Substance abuse and addiction have far-reaching effects thoroughout our society and have contributed to the rise in health care costs.  Substance abuse affects the workplace through its employees and eventually the bottom line.   Employers and employees can work together to prevent substance-abuse related problems in the workplace and manage current concerns.   This presentation will provide background on what the effects of substance abuse are on the workplace, some tools workplaces may use to address the issue, and state and federal resources to assist the implementation of such tools.

##    Success in business is never automatic. It isn't strictly based on luck - although a little never hurts. It depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization. Even then, of course, there are no guarantees. U.S. Small Business Administration

**Notes:**
What is the formula for success for a business?  Is it knowing your market, producing a good or service with a high demand by customers, but low in production costs?  Is it having a good business plan and capital to start your business?  Is it thinking about the unthinkable and preparing for it...fire, theft, damage, accidents?   The U.S. Small Business Administration states: 

Success in business is never automatic. It isn't strictly based on luck - although a little never hurts. It depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization. Even then, of course, there are no guarantees. 

We will look at how Maine businesses may increase their success by making substance abuse prevention part of their business plan;  part of the foundation on which their business is built.

## How Prevalent is Substance Abuse in Our Workforce? 

**Notes:**
So how common is substance abuse in the U.S. and Maine’s Workforce?  Let’s answer this and other questions by looking at some data.

##     Nationally, from 1997 to 2005, the percentage of all illicit drug users aged 18 or older, who were employed either full or part-time (8.3 million adults) rose from 73% to 75% (12.9 million).

**Notes:**
Nationally, most illicit drug users are part of the workforce.   The National Survey on Drug Use and Health states that about 75% of U.S. illicit drug users are employed either full or part-time...that’s about 12.9 million people.   

(National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, August 1998)
(2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health)  SAMHSA 

## Alcohol Use of US Workforce

**Workplace alcohol use and impairment directly affects an estimated 15% of the U.S. workforce****1**** **
**In the past year, 7.1% of the workforce have drunk alcohol at least once during the workday and 1.8% of the workforce have consumed alcohol at least once before coming to work.****1****  **** **
**An estimated 9.23% workers work with a hangover.****2**

- 1 Research Institute on Addictions University at Buffalo, 20062  Frone, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67(1), pp. 147-156, 2006

**Notes:**
Data on the Alcohol use of the U.S. Workforce, shows that  

Approximately 15% of the U.S. workforce is directly effected by alcohol use and impairment. In a company with a workforce of 20, that’s 3 employees. 

In the past year, 7.1% of the workforce have drunk alcohol at least once during the workday and 1.8% of the workforce have consumed alcohol at least once before coming to work.1  What implications does this have for a business?  
An estimated 9.23% of employees work with a hangover.2  How may this effect productivity, presenteeism, and workplace safety?

(The study found that workplace alcohol use and impairment was more prevalent among men compared to women. Also, working under the influence of alcohol or with a hangover was more prevalent among younger workers compared to older workers and among unmarried workers compared to married workers. The Research Institute on Addictions at the University at Buffalo, SUNY 1/9/06 Press Release)

## 2004 Maine General Population Drug and Alcohol Survey

**Past Month Use**
**Alcohol Use 56.6%**
**Binge Drinking 20.0%**
**Marijuana Use 4.0%**

**Past Year Use**
**Alcohol Use 71.7%**
**Binge Drinking 36.6%**
**Marijuana Use 6.6%**

**The highest prevalence rates of respondents feeling the effects or after-effects of alcohol while at work in the past 12 months, occurred in the 21 to 24 year- old group (13.8%) and the 18 to 20 year-old group (10.8%).****  **** **

**Notes:**
What’s the prevalence of substance use in Maine?  The 2004 Maine General Population Drug and Alcohol Survey (Maine’s 18+ adult population) reports that: In the past 30 days, survey participants reported 56.6% used alcohol, 20% binge drank (5 or more drinks in one setting), and 4% used marijuana.

In the past year, 71.7% used alcohol, 36.6% binge drank, and 6.6% used marijuana.  Also, the age groups that most felt the effects or after-effects of alcohol while at work in the past year, were the 21-24 year olds (13.8%) and the 18-20 year olds (10.8%).  

Rates for the other age groups decreased with age (7.5% [25 to 29], 3.9% [30 to 49], and 1.8% [50 to 64]).

## What is theCost of Substance Abuse to Maine?

**Notes:**
So how much is the substance abuse costing our society?   

National Institutes of Health reported that alcohol and drug abuse cost the economy $325 billion in 1998.

(The most recent estimate of the overall economic cost of alcohol abuse was $185 billion for 1998 (6), which is a projection based on the comprehensive cost estimate of $148 billion for 1992 (4). 
The economic cost of drug abuse in 2002 was estimated at $180.9 billion. 140.1 billion in 1998.  The White House National Office on Drug Control Policy: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/economic_costs/e_summary.pdf)  

## In 2000, the total estimated annual cost of substance abuse in Maine: $618 million; $484 for every man, woman, and child in Maine.  
Total costs related to lost productivity:  $97.4 million, representing 16% of the total cost of substance abuse in Maine.

**Total costs related to lost productivity:  $97.4 million, representing 16% of the total cost of substance abuse in Maine.**

**Notes:**
In 2000, the total estimated annual cost of substance abuse in Maine: $618 million; $484 for every man, woman, and child in Maine. 
Total costs related to lost productivity:  $97.4 million, representing 16% of the total cost of substance abuse in Maine.

(1. "The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the United States." 1992. National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. Rockville, MD. 
2. 2004, The Maine Office of Substance Abuse report, The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Maine, 2000
3. 2004, The Maine Office of Substance Abuse report, The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Maine, 2000)

## Impacting Maine businesses where it hurts...

**...****the bottom line.**

**Notes:**
So what is the bottom line for a Maine small business?

## On average 1 of 10 employees of Maine construction company will have an alcohol problem and could annually cost1: 

Work days lost to sickness, injury & absencebecause of problem drinking:  	     3 Days                $306 
Alcohol-related health care costs:                                $3,188  
Emergency Department and Hospital Costs:                 $669

                                 If unaddressed total costs1:               $4163

Average cost of replacing an employee (USDOL):           $7000

National Safety Council estimate average cost of a 
lost-time injury:                                                                  $33,000

                                                     Potential Total Cost:     $44,163

**Work days lost to sickness, injury & absence****because of problem drinking:  ****	****     3 Days                $306**** **
**Alcohol-related health care costs:                                $3,188 **** **
**Emergency Department and Hospital Costs:                 $669**
**                                 ****If unaddressed total costs****1****:               $**_**4163**_
**Average cost of replacing an employee (USDOL):           $7000**
**National Safety Council estimate average cost of a **
**lost-time injury:                                                                  $33,000**
**	****	****	****	****	****    **
**                                                     ****Potential Total Cost:     **_**$44,163**_

- 1.  GWU Ensuring Solutions Alcohol Cost Calculator www.alcoholcostcalculator.org

**Notes:**
To help calculate the estimated annual cost of alcohol abuse to a small business, we used a variety of different sources of data.  George Washington University Medical Center’s - Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems has an alcohol cost calculator.  This calculator estimated that for a small Maine construction company with 10 employees, one employee will have an alcohol problem.  If unaddressed, this problem could cost the business $4,163 annually.  If the employee had an alcohol related workplace injury the estimated average cost is an additional $33,000.   Add on $7000 if that employee needed to be replaced resulting in a potential  estimated total of $44, 163.  This is for just one employee with an alcohol problem, and we haven’t estimated for a drug abuse problem.  The costs would be similar, if not more.

1.  GWU Ensuring Solutions Alcohol Cost Calculator www.alcoholcostcalculator.org

## Workplace Prevention Strategies to Address Substance Abuse

**Notes:**
A comprehensive workplace wellness program includes substance abuse prevention.  Workplace programs that address substance abuse, known as “drug-free workplace programs,” have a dual focus: 
• Prevention – discouraging current employees from abusing substances or from using them at work. 
• Intervention – encouraging current employees to stop substance use that can negatively impact work and to seek help if they have substance abuse problems. 

## Drug Free Workplace Program

- A comprehensive drug-free workplace program includes:
- A Clear **Written** **Policy**
**Employee Education**
**Supervisor Training**
- An **Employee Assistance Program**
- And **Drug Testing**.

**Notes:**
Employers implement drug-free workplace programs to protect their businesses from the impact of drug and alcohol abuse.   A comprehensive Drug Free Workplace Program consists of a Policy, Employee Education, Supervisor Training, Employee Assistance, and Drug Testing.  

Although employers may choose not to include all five components, it is recommended that all be explored when developing a drug-free workplace program.   An employer may still have a Drug Free Workplace Program even if the only components that they may be able to provide is a policy and employee education.  The design and implementation a Drug Free Workplace Program will be based on the company’s needs and resources.  

Research shows that more components may lead to a more effective program.  We will now briefly look at each of these components.

## DFWP Policy

**Foundation of a Drug Free Workplace Program**** **
**Tailored to the Needs of the Workplace**** **
**Clearly States –**** **
**Why the program is being put in place**** **
**Description of prohibited behaviors**** **
**Explanation of consequences for violating policy**

**Workers from companies that lack such policies were twice as likely to say they used illicit drugs in the past month and were more than twice as likely to say they used alcohol heavily – National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.**

**Notes:**
The first component is the Drug Free Workplace Policy.  It is: The Foundation of a Drug Free Workplace Program
Tailored to the Needs of the Workplace
Clearly States –
Why the program is being put in place
Gives descriptions of prohibited behaviors
And explains the consequences for violating policy

The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that workers from companies that lack such policies were twice as likely to say they used illicit drugs in the past month and were more than twice as likely to say they used alcohol heavily.

## SAW Program Timeline

**2006 - SAW Component of the HMP Good Work! Resource Kit**** **
**Nov – Dec 2006 DFWP Trainings for Prevention and Treatment Professionals across Maine**** **
**April – June 2007 DFWP Trainings for Employers across Maine**** **
**Jan 2008 – HMP Worksite Framework to HMP Worksite Initiative Web-based dovetail with HMP MCPs**** **
**Fall 2007 DFWP Learning Community Conf. Call**** **
**2008 – Summer HMP Worksite Initiative Trainings**** **
**2008 – Fall HMP Worksite Initiative Pilot**

## Good Work! Resource KIT Drug Free Workplace Section

**The Bottom Line Impact** - How does substance abuse affect a company’s bottom line?
**Creating a Drug****-****Free Workplace** - Creating a Policy
**Employee Assistance Program** – How Small Employers Can Afford an Employee Assistance Program
**Real Strategies used by Maine Employers**
*The Need and Development of a Drug**-**Free Workplace Policy* - Maine Veterinary Clinic Success Story
*Creating a Drug**-**Free Workplace Program* - Mid-State Machine Products
- Employees Benefit from a Community Assistance Program, Bucksport Bay
**Resources - Education & Training **

**www.healthymainepartnerships.org/MCVHP/resource_good_work_manual.aspx**

**Notes:**
As stated before, implementing strategies to help workers stay healthy is critical to lowering costs. Offering a range of wellness options is a proven strategy for keeping healthy people healthy.  Examples of some of these options are in the Healthy Maine Partnership Good Work! Resource KIT.  

The Good Work! Resource KIT was created for use by wellness teams, human resources professionals, and other personnel interested in developing low-cost ways to support employee health and productivity. Good Work! provides information on the link between a healthy worksite and the bottom line, key elements of successful worksite programs, specific low or no-cost strategies from a variety of Maine employers, and resources to support worksite wellness initiatives. 

This screen shows the outline for the Drug Free Workplace Section of the Good Work!  Resource KIT.  It will take an employer through a step-by-step process of how to develop a Drug Free Workplace program, looking specifically at their needs and resources.  At the end of this presentation each of you will receive a CD containing the entire Good Work! Resource KIT and other Substance Abuse and the Workplace Prevention Resources.

## 	At the very least, every employer can do these two things:

**	****At the very least, every employer can do these two things:**
**Work with employees to develop and implement a drug****-****free workplace policy**
**Include substance abuse prevention information in other workplace awareness and education programs**

**What Can Every Employer Do?**

**Notes:**
What Can Every Employer Do?

At the very least, every employer can do two things:
Work with employees to develop and implement a drug-free workplace policy

Include substance abuse prevention information in other workplace awareness and education programs

## Teaser Ads
Postcards mailed to over 5000 employers
Radio Ads 
Web site with three steps: 1 - Involve key employees for input and advice  2 - Customize a policy that is right for the workplace
     3 - Share the policy with all employees

**Postcards mailed to over 5000 employers**
**Radio Ads **
**Web site with three steps:**** 1 - Involve key employees for input and advice **** 2 - Customize a policy that is right for the workplace**
**     ****3 - Share the policy with all employees**

**Campaign to raise awareness of  Maine workplaces on the value of developing and implement a Drug Free Workplace Policy**

## Teaser Ad – Maine Biz magazine

**Notes:**
WorkAlert Media Campaign, started with a meeting of stakeholders starting with the Substance Abuse and the Workplace Workgroup, consisting of ME DOL, business leaders, labor law attorney, EAP professionals, and Human Resource experts.

## Maine Chamber of 

**Maine Chamber of **
**Commerce Newsletter Ad**

## Post Card Series 

**Post Card Series **
**Two different postcards mailed out to over 5,000 employers in the state**
**Captivating front image with an informational back**

## Slide 21

## Second Post Card 

**Second Post Card **
**Mailed to over 5000 employers**

## Slide 23

## Two Workplace break room posters for employers to use directing employees to help

**Two Workplace break room posters for employers to use directing employees to help**

## Second Workplace Poster available to employers 

**Second Workplace Poster available to employers **

## Window / Door Sticker for Businesses That Have a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy

**Window / Door Sticker for Businesses That Have a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy**

## Maine Healthy Maine Partnership Worksite Initiative 

- Online Employer Inventory
- Optional Employee Wellness Interest Surveys
-  Comprehensive Survey
- Wellness Interest Survey – Short Version
- Online Recommendations
- Online Work Plan

## ME Worksite Initiative Homepage 

**ME Worksite Initiative Homepage**

## ME Worksite Inventory 

**ME Worksite Inventory**

## ME Worksite Inventory Recommendations

**ME Worksite Inventory Recommendations**

## ME Worksite Inventory Recommendations

**ME Worksite Inventory Recommendations**

## ME Worksite Initiative Work Plan 

**ME Worksite Initiative Work Plan**

##           Maine Resources

-    DOL BLS Wage and Hour Division **www.maine.gov/labor/bls/wagehour.htm**
-     Good Work! Resource KIT **www.healthymainepartnerships.org**

**Notes:**
The Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, Wage and Hour Division Website has the guidelines and procedures for creating a State of Maine approved Drug Testing Program.

The Healthy Maine Partnerships Good Work! Resource KIT may also be found online, and, as a reminder, is on the CD that you receive today.

##   Office of Substance Abuse and the Workplace Web Sitewww.maineosa.org/prevention/workplace

Maine Parents - www.maineparents.net

- Maine Parents - www.maineparents.net

**Notes:**
The Maine Office of Substance Abuse has the Substance Abuse and the Workplace (SAW) Program Web site can be found at www.maineosa.org/prevention/workplace.   Much of the information shared today and much more may be found at the SAW site.

The Maine Office of Substance Abuse offers resources to help parents monitor their teen for underage use with five tips. OSA also offers some information about how a parents’ own behavior can sometimes influence their teen's decisions about alcohol - even without parents realizing it. 

## Federal Resources

- SAMHSA Division of Workplace Programs
- http://workplace.samhsa.gov
- SAMHSA Get Fit    http://getfit.samhsa.gov/

**Notes:**
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Division of Workplace Program has the Get Fit Website: 
GetFit.SAMHSA.Gov, an interactive workplace web site that provides you, your family, and colleagues with information about physical health, mental health, drugs, and alcohol. SAMHSA’s goal is to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for employees and their families across the Nation. 

##    U.S. DOL Working Partners
   www.dol.gov/workingpartners 

The NationalYouth Anti-Drug
Media Campaign
        Parents. The Antidrug.
http://theantidrug.com/atwork 

-    www.dol.gov/workingpartners
- The NationalYouth Anti-Drug
- Media Campaign
-         Parents. The Antidrug.
- http://theantidrug.com/atwork

**Notes:**
US DOL Working Partners has the Drug-Free Workplace Advisor Program Builder will take the employer through an easy step by step process to develop a Drug Free Workplace.
The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign - Parents. The Antidrug. has information for Parents on how to prevent substance use / abuse with their children.  There are news letter articles, website links and buttons, tag lines, etc that Employers may use at no cost to include with employee paychecks, or post on their business Web site for employees, or put in an employee newsletter.

## Ensuring Solutions, George Washington University Medical Center  www.ensuringsolutions.org  

**Ensuring Solutions, George Washington University Medical Center  www.ensuringsolutions.org  **

**Notes:**

The George Washington University Medical Center has the Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems Alcohol Cost Calculator that was mentioned earlier in the presentation.  This site has a great deal of resources including research articles regarding Alcohol Problems and how they affect the workplace. 

This concludes our presentation for today and I will now open it up for questions.