{"id":352,"date":"2017-12-15T09:07:36","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T17:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fueldev.site\/~ascentbl\/?p=352"},"modified":"2018-12-31T10:55:56","modified_gmt":"2018-12-31T18:55:56","slug":"opioid-crisis-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ascentblog.org\/opioid-crisis-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Opioid Crisis and the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"

If one of the first things that crosses your mind when interviewing a potential employee is addiction to opioids, you\u2019re not alone. No state has been immune from opioid overdoses in recent years; however, some regions such as New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and Midwest have been hit especially hard.<\/p>\n

But what can you do as an employer to make sure this crisis doesn\u2019t affect your practice? Here are a few ways to identify and prevent opioid problems with potential and current employees.<\/p>\n

Recruiting new employees<\/h2>\n

Drug testing is the best way to identify potential employees with an opioid addiction. According to the Hudson Institute reports, employers who drug test potential employees say 25 to 50 percent of qualified applicants cannot pass a drug test.<\/p>\n

Background checks are also key in identifying a drug problem with an applicant. Simply calling references may reveal their struggle with opioids.<\/p>\n

Maintaining current employees<\/h2>\n

Did you know there are things you can do as an employer to prevent your employees from becoming addicted to opioids?<\/p>\n

Regular drug testing in the workplace, if you are located in a high opioid abuse area, can be essential to your human resources practices. This can reveal if an employee has a problem and support can be provided for the next steps.<\/p>\n

Benefit plans are another way to prevent opioid addiction. When selecting your health care plans, your practice should:<\/p>\n