By: Ashley Pierce, WCCCC
On October 3, 2024, the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce will host a brand-new event, with an important purpose. The Price of Pain: Navigating Opioids in the Workplace, sponsored by Brumbaugh Wealth Management, will take a look at how employers grapple with the challenges opioid use brings into the workplace, providing attendees with a toolkit of resources on workplace prevention and response.
According to the PA Office of Attorney General, opioid use is the number one public health and public safety challenge in Pennsylvania. From 2018 to 2023, there have been 58,065 ER visits for opioid overdoses. This horrible epidemic affects individuals, families, and businesses.
Due to the opioid crisis, employers are struggling to find qualified workers who can pass drug tests and are dealing with a significant rise in health care costs and workplace injuries, which result in increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.
The interactive discussion will dive into insight on the opioid crisis, teaching employers how to recognize warning signs, identify the challenges opioids create in the work environment, and help businesses recognize determinants of work-related opioid use so they can react accordingly. The event will also help businesses create employee policies and practices, so they can learn how to properly educate their staff.
Together with Jim Selken, of Continental Realty, WCCCC has comprised an expert panel for the event. The panel lineup is as follows: Kathy Collier, Prevention Manager, Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services; John Goshert, Retired Detective of Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division; Honorable John R. Bailey, Retired Judge of Chester County Magisterial District; Dave Sunday, District Attorney for York County; and Michelle Gallo, Director of Human Resources, Chester County.
Will your business respond ready? The Price of Pain: Navigating Opioids in the Workplace will be held on October 3, 2024, at the Nth Innovation Center, 190 W. Lincoln Highway, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Attendance is free for WCCCC members and $15 for non-members.
To register, please visit the event page.