OEDI

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 drugfree workplace programs in place.

At its January 2006 Leadership Summit, the Oregon Business Plan approved the Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative 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 (see Oregon Business Plan White Paper and Executive Summary).

Since then, Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative 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.

The overall goal of Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative is to substantially increase the number of drugfree workplaces statewide.

Specific goals are to:

Educate and mobilize the business community to combat substance abuse through a business-to-business awareness and education campaign;
Raise legislator awareness of the impact of drugs on workplace safety and productivity;
Prioritize substance abuse prevention in Oregon's public workforce system;
Elevate importance of student preparation for the drugfree workplace.

Progress in 2008 & Goals for 2009:

Since implementing our drug policy, we’ve seen significant reductions in the cost of workers’ comp and in medical claims, which translates to more dollars to the bottom line. We’re also attracting quality applicants who share our business ethic and culture.

— Aniel Yates, LBL Windows and Chair, OEDI Gresham

Goal 1: Mount a statewide campaign to significantly increase the percentage of drug-free workplaces in Oregon.

2008 Progress: In April 2008, Workdrugfree Oregon (WDFO) became a program of Associated Oregon Industries Research & Education Foundation, gaining a strong business voice and advocate. It also welcomed two new partner sites, Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and South Central Oregon Economic Development District, and received a grant from Pacific Power Foundation to improve the interactivity of its website for all 15 partner sites. The WDFO Employer Task Group, led by Don Skundrick, Knife River, completed a campaign to fund a second statewide employer survey in Nov. 2008 to measure progress since 2006. Survey contributors included: A-dec, Inc.; Astoria-Warrenton Chamber; Avista Corp.; Barrett Business Services Inc.; Community Action Drug Prevention Network; Gunderson; Klamath County Chamber of Commerce; Knife River Corp.; Medford Fabrication; NW Natural; Onsite Drug & Alcohol Testing; Oregon Staffing Assoc.; Providence Health Plan; Providence Newberg Medical Center; Roseburg Forest Products; SAIF Corp.; and South Central Oregon Economic Development District; Stacy Stack; and Willamette Valley Medical Center.
Agenda for 2009: Under 2009 Chair Chuck Carey, A-dec Inc., WDFO will seek increased Oregon Department of Human Services funding to support the drug-free workplace education, training and mentoring efforts of its current partner sites, to recruit additional partner sites particularly in rural Oregon, and to expand alliances with employer and economic and workforce development organizations across Oregon.

Goal 2: Raise legislator awareness of the impact of drugs on safety, productivity and business competitiveness.

2008 Progress: A policymaker conference on The Economic Impact of Substance Abuse was held in January and attracted over 100 employers and legislators. A report by ECONorthwest, which was released at the conference, found that the economic impact of substance abuse in Oregon is $5.9 billion per year, with $4 billion due to lost productivity. Similar forums were held thoughout the year in Albany, Newport, Roseburg, Medford and Woodburn to raise awareness of the scope of the problem and the need for legislative solutions in 2009.
Agenda for 2009: The Drug-free Workplace Legislative Task Group, chaired by Dan Harmon, Hoffman Corp. and AOI Vice Chair, will continue to pursue an 8-point legislative agenda, which includes eliminating the requirement for employers to accommodate medical marijuana.

Goal 3: Prioritize substance abuse prevention in Oregon’s public workforce system.

2008 Progress: Oregon Workforce Investment Board began implementation of a Job Seeker Substance Abuse Prevention Policy applicable to all WorkSource Oregon agencies. Implementation included staff training in effective intervention and referral of job seekers to substance abuse evaluation and treatment resources.
Agenda for 2009: WDFO Employer Task Group will continue to serve as a resource to OWIB as it implements the Job Seeker Policy and work with Oregon Employer Councils to increase local employer education and training opportunities.

Goal 4: Elevate importance of student preparation for the drug-free workforce.

2008 Progress: Drugfree workplace expectations were incorporated into new Oregon Diploma learning standards approved by the State Board of Education.
Agenda for 2009: WDFO will continue to schedule employer-delivered classroom presentations on company drug-free workplace policy and employment expectations to high school juniors and seniors.