Midstate business group set to host forum on how to approach opioid crisis
(Harrisburg) — A session on how businesses can manage the opioid crisis is set for this week.
It’s another reminder how it’s touching every part of the midstate.
The Hempfield Business Coalition — which includes about 70 small businesses — is holding the forum.
It will include panelists from the treatment world, criminal justice, and a person who is in recovery.
The group’s Dave Dumeyer says it’s important to remember that people spend a lot of time at their job – maybe as much as they do with their significant other, family, or close friends.
“Employers may be one of those unique positions to be able to identify, or perhaps actually come across somebody who is struggling with this and may be in a position to provide some help, advice, encouragement,” says Dumeyer.
Dumeyer says employers are also recognizing how important it is to understand addiction.
“More and more I think we’re becoming aware that employees are a crucial part of the business. People are going to be worried about what do we do about the human aspect of it and certainly the health and welfare of employees I think is becoming more and more important,” he adds.
The Drug Enforcement Agency says more than 4,600 people died from a drug overdose last year in Pennsylvania — nearly double 2014’s total.
He hopes the conversation will spur more proactive action from businesses, and help them understand what an employee may be going through.
Friday’s forum has proven popular — registration for employers is closed.
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