DOL pushes forward on opioid abuse pilot program

April 12th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

Opioid abuse is a major issue in many areas of the U.S., which means it has a significant impact on employers in a variety of different industries. That's especially true for workers who engage in manual labor and may receive opioid prescriptions to treat work-related injuries, but could potentially fall victim to addiction and the many negative consequences that come along with it.

With more than 60,000 deaths caused by these medically useful but addictive drugs in 2016, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it's not surprising the Department of Labor is pushing forward with a pilot program to combat it. That statistic also underscores the need for companies to address the issue and take steps to address potential problems under their roofs.

DOL begins implementing opioid pilot program for worker recovery

"The DOL program includes $21 million in total funding."

The DOL's pilot program focuses on aiding U.S. workers who were or are affected by the opioid crisis receive training and other assistance that will help them re-enter the job market. EHS Today reported the program is funded with about $21 million, which will go toward between 7 and 10 individual programs. Addiction services, therapy, mental health treatment and a variety of similar services, including opportunities for workers to enter these fields, may also be funded under the program.

"The tragedies of opioid misuse and abuse devastate families and communities, and keep too many Americans out of the workforce," said Alex Acosta, Secretary of Labor in a public statement. "President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, committing the full resources of his Administration to helping Americans impacted by the crisis."

The continuing role of employers

Federal efforts to limit the impact of the opioid epidemic are critical for continued progress, but employers must also address the issue when appropriate. Education about the dangers of opioid abuse and counseling for at-risk workers can be effective options, as Safety & Health magazine pointed out, helping to address the problem before it becomes a major issue for employees. Due to the complicated nature of medical privacy laws and the need to avoid breaching such regulations, companies have to carefully address other initiatives, like increased drug testing and new policies related to drug use.