Taking part in WorkDrugFree Oregon

October 2007

Drug use drains profitability in many ways

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce has joined the fight against drug use in the workplace by becoming a partner with WorkDrugFree Oregon. The Chamber is part of a pilot program to help local member businesses develop a manageable drug policy. This program will focus on providing resources to aid members in implementing and managing a workplace drug program that will allow them to grow their business, be more profitable and help battle a problem that permeates the work force.

This program will be phased in by the Chamber over the next few months. The first phase will include a survey of existing members to gather information relevant to the program. Following the survey we will offer a series of workshops and discussion groups to educate our members and provide a solid foundation for the development of a program that will work in each member business. Our goal is to have a simple, low cost and easily managed drug use policy available to our members by June of 2008.

Drug use damages your business in many hidden ways

Drug use drains profitability from a business in many ways. It is a primary cause of absence, tardiness and lack of productivity in the workplace. Drugs affect safety and health issues in your business and directly increase workers compensation costs for all businesses in Oregon.

As use grows theft and vandalism increase and business insurance costs escalate, customers service declines when staff is more interested in finding their next fix and your gross sales are affected negatively by this trend. Good employees and customers begin to shy away from businesses that have a perceived drug problem and the downward spiral continues. Drugs truly costs your business real dollars on a daily basis, even if your problem is small it affects your bottom line in a big way.

WorkDrugFree History

WorkDrugFree Oregon is a statewide business initiative to substantially increase the number of drug free workplaces in Oregon, improve the competitive advantage of Oregon employers and support a thriving economy. It was approved as an Oregon Business Plan initiative in January, 2006 as part of the Meet Targeted Workforce Needs of Industry initiative.

The WorkDrugFree Oregon Employer Task Group sets outcomes for and guides progress towards the Initiative's goals. It also is responsible for statewide employer surveys to measure progress, setting pilot site criteria, approving new pilot site proposals, and representing the Initiative to interested groups.

Chambers of Commerce and other business groups have become vital partners in the Initiative by serving as the primary conduit for drug free workplace awareness, education and training for local businesses by Oregon's foremost trainers and presenters.

Liberty Northwest Insurance also has become a key partner by offering an Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Premium Credit for Oregon Employers. WorkDrugFree Oregon is staffed by WorkDrugFree, a program of the Oregon Nurses Foundation. Since 1995, WorkDrugFree has been the only substance abuse prevention program funded by Oregon Department of Human Services to strengthen the health and productivity of Oregon's workforce.

A WorkDrugFree survey shows most substance abusers are employed - 74% of illicit drug users and 79.5% of heavy or binge drinkers work. Nearly 60% of Oregon employers, large and small, say that on-the-job substance abuse is of great concern, yet only 13% of Oregon businesses have comprehensive drug free workplace programs in place.

At its January 2006 Leadership Summit, the Oregon Business Plan approved the WorkDrugFree Oregon initiative as part of its strategic framework to build a more competitive state economy. The effort was precipitated by the increasing difficulty of Oregon businesses in finding workers who can pass a pre-employment drug test.

Since then, WorkDrugFree Oregon has mounted a business-driven campaign to inform the full business community of the value of drug-free workplace programs and assist them in launching or fully implementing these programs. The campaign focuses on helping smaller businesses overcome such obstacles as lack of time, lack of money, lack of expertise, and the fear of losing key employees.