Bringing the Benefits of Prevention to the Workplace

Most of the nation's 16 million illicit drug users and 15 million heavy alcohol users hold full-time jobs, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)Among full-time workers using these substances, 3 million met criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse, and 10.5 million were dependent on or abused alcohol.

Small and medium sized organizations — those who are not likely to have comprehensive, company-wide alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs in place, are especially vulnerable. One serious accident can be a financial and public relations nightmare.

The good news is that when companies and organizations implement model programs to prevent alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace, theycan create a "prevention environment," where accidents, turnover rates, and absenteeism go down . . . and productivity, morale and job satisfaction go up. IHD's Workplace Prevention program helps to deliver these competitive advantages to small and medium-sized companies and organizations in the Northeast.

IHD uses workplace prevention models that are recommended by SAMHSA because they are known to produce measurable results. Here's how IHD can help you create a "prevention environment" at your company or organization:

Comprehensive risk assessment.

Using interviews, focus groups and an analysis of your absenteeism, accident and turnover rates, we set a baseline against we can measure program results and we prepare a report for owners and directors. (Link to SPF Model explanation -pdf)

Customized Drug and Alcohol Policy.

We help you craft a clear, enforceable policy for alcohol and drug use, and we introduce you to best practices for communicating the policy to your employees and boards.

Supervisor training.

Our certified prevention specialists will train your supervisors to recognize signs of alcohol and drug abuse and teach them appropriate corrective steps that do not violate employee rights.

Employee education.

IHD promotes a whole-company prevention program. Through educational and motivational workshops, employees are trained to play an active role in keeping the workplace free alcohol and substance abuse.

Follow-up Support.

All IHD workplace clients receive IHD's Quarterly Prevention News to sustain your new prevention-oriented environment. Also available are new employee orientation programs, refresher workshops, and bilingual programs for parentswhose work may be affected by a child with an alcohol or drug problem. (Links to list of "creative refresher workshops" , free posters and other resources??? Maybe mention of EAP and Drug testing?? (Bilingual links to PAT))

Small Investment: Big Return.

IHD's new Workplace Prevention program is driven by mission, not profit. Our goal to ensure small to medium-sized companies and organizations in the Northeast can capture measurable returns on data-based prevention programs for a very modest investment.

Contact IHD to start putting prevention to work for you.