Businesses Encouraged to Take Action against Painkiller Abuse

Nov. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- Columbus, OH (11/03/2011) – Prescription drug abuse is the focus of Working Partners® latest publication “SPECIAL REPORT: Prescription Drugs, Ohio Responds.”  Contained in their fall newsletter, this report emphasizes the organization’s goal to get businesses and employers to step-up and join the fight against substance abuse, specifically addressing prescription drug abuse.

“Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions and businesses have a vested interest in the situation,” said Dee Mason, president of Working Partners®.  “It is important that they realize their tax dollars, their bottom lines and their employee’s lives and families are being impacted.”

The report covers the measures being taken by four cabinet-level state agencies to address prescription drug abuse in Ohio.  It also provides overviews on related legal news and studies from across the nation to further emphasize the impact of prescription drug abuse.  However, it is the “Workplace Call to Charge” Working Partners® hopes businesses pay attention to.

“Businesses can lose around $7,000 - $25,000 per substance abusing employee each year, and unfortunately prescription drug abusers are quickly becoming responsible for a majority of that loss,” said Mason.  “If employers realize the business impact of this problem they can establish controls, and provide awareness and education to their employees.”

Working Partners® knows that businesses can impact their employees’ lives and communities.  They explain the connection as: “Motivated businesses can be a portal to ignite change.  If they understand the impact prescription drugs are having on their operations, the businesses are more likely to share information with their employees who are parents, caregivers and taxpayers.  Arming employees creates a grassroots groundswell resulting in the community taking steps to contain this situation.”

To read the special report (www.WorkingPartners.com/publications.asp) or to learn how businesses can get involved visit www.WorkingPartners.com or call 614.337.8200.