Opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose deaths (OODs) are prevalent among US workers, but work-related factors have not received adequate attention as either risk factors or opportunities for OOD prevention. Higher prevalence of OOD in those with heavy physical jobs, more precarious work, and limited health care benefits suggest work environment and organizational factors may predispose workers to the development of OUD.

Organizational policies that reduce ergonomic risk factors, respond effectively to employee health and safety concerns, provide access to non pharmacologic pain...

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified many well-researched drug-free workplace programs and published "A Kit for Employers: Making the workplace drug free".

This Employer kit describes the below:

• The components of a drug-free workplace,
• The steps for conducting a needs assessment, 
• The key elements of an effective drug-free workplace policy,
• The importance of employee education,
• Fact sheets,
• An overview on training supervisors,
• How to use employee assistance program,
• How to implement a drug testing program. 

The kit also describes...

EMCDDA has published Policy and practice briefings in Workplaces. This policy and practice briefing provides an overview of the key issues, response options, evidence and implications for policy and practice.

It summarises the available evidence and lists the key principles for the management of drug-related issues in the workplace identified by the UN International Labour Organization. It also discusses the implications for policy and practice by summarising the opportunities and gaps.

Our recently released The Environmental Impact of Drugs... Know the Truth short animated video is now available in Spanish!

Our recently released short video, The Impact of Drugs in the Workplace, is now available in Spanish!

Substance use disorders threaten the health and safety of work environments. The most effective way to prevent drug and alcohol related consequences in the workplace is through a comprehensive drug-free workplace program.