workforce in
THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE
HOW BUSINESSES CAN FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE OPIOID CRISIS
You finally found the perfect fit for that open position you ’ ve been trying to fill for months . Walter is not only qualified for the job , he ’ s personable , is involved in the community and is well regarded in your industry . But as you ’ re wrapping up the interview , Walter says , “ By the way , there ’ s something you should know …”
He tells you he was prescribed a pain reliever after back surgery , and longterm use has unfortunately turned into an opioid addiction . Every day is a struggle , but he ’ s receiving treatment . A drug test confirms that he isn ’ t currently using .
What do you do ? Do you move on to another candidate , or do you accept the fact that everyone has a past and offer Walter a fresh start ? After all , if it can happen to Walter , couldn ’ t it happen to any of us ?
This is a predicament many business owners have recently faced . And if the opioid crisis continues at its current rate , chances are , you may find yourself in this very situation before you know it .
In 2016 , 11.5 million people misused prescription opioids and more than two million of them are considered to have an opioid use disorder . Tragically , opioid misuse resulted in the overdose deaths of 42,249 people 1 — that ’ s 116 each day .
As the epidemic continues to grow , so does its impact on our loved ones , our communities and our economy – particularly our workforce .
This article examines three common questions employers are asking as a result of the opioid epidemic , and how we might work to strengthen a workforce in crisis .
6
1
According the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health , administered by the Center for Disease Control ’ s National Center for Health Statistics .
2
According to retired U . S . Army Gen . Barry R . McCaffrey , former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy .
3
According to a 2016 FAIR Health Study The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on the Healthcare System : A Study of Privately Billed Services .