Elena Carr, U.S. Department of Labor Reenergizing the Roots of Employee Assistance: Tapping Into Federal Workplace Substance Abuse Efforts Tad Davis, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Current Trends in Drug Use Research indicates a decline in youth drug use, but less progress among adults From : –Non-medical use of prescription medications among young adults increased –Adult methamphetamine use remained steady

A Workplace Concern: Current Illicit Drug Use Of 16.4 million current illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2004, 12.3 million (75.2 percent) were employed –8.0% of full-time workers –10.3% of part-time workers

Of 51.9 million adult binge drinkers in 2004, 41.2 (79.3%) million were employed either full or part time Of 16.0 million adult heavy drinkers, 12.7 (79.5%) were employed either full or part time A Workplace Concern: Alcohol Abuse

A Workplace Concern: Substance Dependence or Abuse Of 20.3 million adults classified with substance dependence or abuse in 2004, 15.7 million were employed –10.5% of full-time workers –11.9% of part-time workers

The Federal government is reviving efforts to promote DFWPs as a means to address this problem –The workplace is one of the most effective venues for reaching adults with alcohol and drug problems –Offers opportunity for education as well as meaningful incentives to stop use Workplace as the Solution

Executive Order 12564/Agency- Specific Fitness-for-Duty Regulations Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 History of Related Efforts

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/ Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) Small Business Administration (SBA) U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Current Initiatives

Renewed ONDCP Workplace Efforts Gather data to demonstrate effectiveness of workplace drug testing Focus on small businesses Improved coordination between Federal agencies (DOL, SAMSHA, SBA) Engage DFWP industry organizations (EAPA, DATIA, SAPAA) Director visits to drug-free workplaces as part of Major Cities Initiative

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Major Cities Initiative Engages officials and citizens in about 25 of the nation’s largest cities Encourages cities to use proven techniques in expanding efforts to reduce drug use Promotes coordination among all segments of the community Assists in gathering accurate data on each city’s current state of drug use

ONDCP Major Cities Initiative

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Program Component of “The Anti-Drug” national media campaign Allows employers to provide working parents with resources to help them talk to their children about drug issues  Web resources and e-newsletter  Articles for employee newsletters  Brochures, posters and other resources for distribution

Department of Labor Approach Non-regulatory Promotes five-pronged programs that include support for workers with alcohol and drug problems Addresses workplace substance abuse; not just illicit drug use Respects rights of workers and employers Targets small businesses

DOL’s Working Partners Program Public education and outreach campaign to: Raise awareness about the impact of substance abuse on the workplace Equip work organizations to implement drug-free workplace programs that protect worker safety and health Assist DOL internal agencies in addressing substance abuse as it impacts their missions

What is a Drug-Free Workplace? Confusion abounds! DFWP means different things to different people Not synonymous with drug testing (despite widespread belief) Not synonymous with EAP No specific Federal law governs most private sector programs

A work environment where: All employees understand that illicit use of drugs and abuse of alcohol while working is not acceptable; and Policies and programs discourage alcohol or other drug abuse and facilitate treatment and recovery What is a Drug-Free Workplace?

Policy and procedures Employee awareness and education Supervisor training Employee assistance program Drug testing Five-Step Approach to a Drug-Free Workplace

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Substance Abuse Initiative Formalizes OSHA’s support for drug-free workplace programs Educates that drug-free workplace programs add value to safety and health plans Targets high-hazard industries, including construction (industries with the highest rates of substance abuse are construction and mining)

Recent activities Multi-Union Drug-Free Workplace Alliance NFIB Alliance that includes the goal of drug-free workplaces OSHA Substance Abuse Web page Presentations at safety and health conferences and articles in publications Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) “Keeping America’s Mines Drug and Alcohol Free” campaign Educates the mining community about the dangers of drug and alcohol use in mines Encourages collaborative, community- based strategies for addressing the issue Launched at Dec Tri-State Summit (KY, VA, WV) Participates in Tri-State Substance Abuse Task Force

Re-assert capacity and expertise to address workplace substance abuse Learn to co-exist with drug testing The EAP Challenge

Embrace EAPs role both within and beyond a drug-free workplace Reinforce drug-free workplace message Capitalize on drug testing to identify and intervene early Tips for Maximizing EAP Influence

Learn about drug-testing policies, procedures and technology Partner with drug-testing to provide appropriate training to employees and supervisors Leverage available resources to expand available services Tips for Maximizing EAP Influence

Utilize free resources available from DOL and other Federal agencies Target high-hazard industries Reach out to: –Union groups –Local or state NFIB chapters –OSHA Consultants –SAMHSA YIW grantees Get involved in ONDCP Major Cities Initiative EAP Opportunities

Drug-Free Workplace Advisor - policy development tool Training presentations, articles and fact sheets Directories of state resources and laws Newsroom with information about DOL agency drug-free workplace initiatives and PSAs (print and radio) alert service Working Partners Web Site