The Opioid Epidemic is a Workplace Problem
October 4, 2017
Charles Ligon, Corporate Chaplain
Wake Forest, N.C.
Madison Rozakos
The Problem: America is in the midst of a serious opioid epidemic. Opioid painkillers are currently the most widely prescribed pain relievers, and the most highly abused prescription drug. Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone. These and other highly addictive opiates are prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain and have serious risks and side effects. The statistics are staggering. In 2016, 227 million opioid prescriptions were issued in the United States, which is comparable to giving pain pills to nine out of every 10 adults nationwide. What’s worse, drug overdoses, mostly connected to prescription painkillers and heroin, killed 356,000 people in the U.S. between 2006 and 2014. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over one half of all overdose deaths involve prescription opioids. Sadly, 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. This problem has reached epidemic levels, and appears to be getting worse daily. Chances are, we all know someone impacted by opioid addiction.
The Workplace: Opioid prescriptions are powerful, highly addictive medications that have proven to be a health and safety issue in the workplace. What’s more, they have the potential to cause impairment and increase the risk of workplace incidents, errors and injuries. PowerSecure, and its affiliate companies, are no exception. We likely have employees who struggle with an emerging dependence, or addiction to these medications. Generally, it starts with acute or chronic pain and ends with an addiction problem—one the individual never intended upon.
The Employee: We want to help. It is our desire to increase awareness and to provide confidential access to appropriate intervention and/or treatment. The Company Chaplaincy Program serves as a first step to confidentially assist employees in need. If you or a family member is battling an opioid addiction or an addiction of any kind, please make a confidential call to one of our chaplains for additional information. In many cases, company medical insurance will assist with treatment. The company chaplains are Charles Ligon at 919-816-7889 or Joe Franklin at 864-770-5462.
The Future: PowerSecure is taking steps to build awareness around the nature of these powerful medications through the education of employees and management training. It is our hope and desire to stay ahead of this worsening problem so we can protect YOU, our most valuable resource.
The Workplace: Opioid prescriptions are powerful, highly addictive medications that have proven to be a health and safety issue in the workplace. What’s more, they have the potential to cause impairment and increase the risk of workplace incidents, errors and injuries. PowerSecure, and its affiliate companies, are no exception. We likely have employees who struggle with an emerging dependence, or addiction to these medications. Generally, it starts with acute or chronic pain and ends with an addiction problem—one the individual never intended upon.
The Employee: We want to help. It is our desire to increase awareness and to provide confidential access to appropriate intervention and/or treatment. The Company Chaplaincy Program serves as a first step to confidentially assist employees in need. If you or a family member is battling an opioid addiction or an addiction of any kind, please make a confidential call to one of our chaplains for additional information. In many cases, company medical insurance will assist with treatment. The company chaplains are Charles Ligon at 919-816-7889 or Joe Franklin at 864-770-5462.
The Future: PowerSecure is taking steps to build awareness around the nature of these powerful medications through the education of employees and management training. It is our hope and desire to stay ahead of this worsening problem so we can protect YOU, our most valuable resource.