Survey: 80% of Indiana Employers Impacted by Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse

A new survey that finds 80 percent of Indiana employers are impacted by prescription drug misuse and abuse has national implications, CNBC reports.

The National Safety Council (NSC) and Indiana’s Attorney General conducted the survey, which found 64 percent of employers believe prescription drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet are bigger problems than illegal drugs.

“We would expect very similar results in many states,” said Deborah Hersman, President and CEO of the NSC. “This is not a local problem; this is a national problem, and it’s very important for employers to understand this is an issue they need to pay attention to and not put their head in the sand. If an employee is taking a prescription painkiller, their cost on worker’s comp goes up four times, and 25 percent of all prescription costs in workers comp are opioid painkillers.”

Only about half of employers have a written policy on using prescription drugs, the survey found. Three-quarters of employers say misusing prescription drugs is a justifiable reason for termination. The survey also found 87 percent of employers conduct drug testing, but only 52 percent test for synthetic opioids.

Fewer than 30 percent of employers offer training around workplace use of prescription drugs, according to the NSC.

“Beyond the loss of productivity, prescription abuse can cause impairment, injury and may lead employees to bad choices, such as theft or embezzlement from the employer,” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in a news release.

To help protect workers, the NSC recommends employers expand drug testing to include detection of opioid painkillers, train employees and supervisors how to spot signs of misuse and use Employee Assistance Programs to help employees return to work following treatment for addiction.