5 Steps to Reduce Opioid Use

Balacet. Opana. Kadian.

These are not the names of far-off cities or trending pop singers. Balacet, Opana and Kadian are closer than you’d think. They are names for three commonly prescribed opioids, and contribute to a growing epidemic of prescription opioid abuse in the United States.

Drug overdoses now kill an average of 46 people each day in the United States, outpacing deaths caused by car accidents. It is estimated that 23% of the U.S. workforce has used prescription drugs non-medically. Workers in the construction industry are at an even higher risk of abusing opioids. A recent study found that opioid utilization is consistently 5-10 percent higher in construction than all other industries.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports:

  • Injured workers who are prescribed one opioid have average total claim costs nearly four times greater than workers who were not prescribed opioids.
  • Receiving more than a one-week supply of opioids soon after an injury doubles a worker’s risk of disability one year later.
  • State court decisions have found employers and worker’s compensation insurers financially responsible when an injured worker who is prescribed painkillers fatally overdoses.

What can you do to protect your team and your business from the opioid epidemic?

  1. CHECK YOUR POLICIES
    Draft or update your Drug-Free and/or Prescription Drug Workplace policies to address the use of prescription drugs. Be sure to involve legal counsel, human resources and employee relations in this process. Sample Policies: Substance Use
  2. EDUCATE
    Take the time to educate your team on the proper use of prescription opioids. Provide education about how the drugs work and how they can be harmful & addictive. Employees should also be advised to discuss their  risks and alternative treatment options with any provider prescribing an opioid. Train supervisors on workplace policies, signs of impairment, drug testing protocol and applicable laws.
  3. PROVIDE SUPPORT & SAFE RTW 
    Both supervisors and co-workers are vital to provide the social support needed for injured employees to return to work (RTW) safely. Research shows that positive social support helps reduce drug and alcohol abuse. Implementing a RTW protocol can limit lost time and lost wages through focusing attention to the individual’s work abilities.
  4. COMMUNICATE TREATMENT OPTIONS
    Discuss your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and/or treatment options with your workers so they can seek detoxification, counseling and/or pharmaceutical treatments if they are struggling to stop using opioids. Employer supported treatments result in better recovery outcomes than treatments initiated at the request of family and friends. If you do not have an EAP, consider the investment. EAPs have a return on investment (ROI) ranging from $1.49-$13.00 per dollar spent; the highest ROI resulting from a mental health program.
  5. ASK QUESTIONS
    Consult the professionals with any questions about policies, education, RTW protocols, employee assistance programs or opioid use/abuse at your workplace.