Workplace Impairment Resources
Contents
Drug Identification and Information
Drugs.com offers useful online tools and mobile applications.
- Drugs.com Pill Identification Wizard helps you identify what a pill is by matching the imprint, size, shape, or color of a pill, and leading you to the detailed description in their drug database. Pill identifier: Search by imprint, shape or color.
- Look up potential drug interactions in Drugs.com’s Drug Interaction Checker. Cross-reference multiple drugs to compare, and view other potential interactions such as food interactions with a medication.
DailyMed (NIH) offers a database of labeling submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by companies. While it does not contain a complete listing of labeling for FDA-regulated products, it is a useful resource for reviewing Drug Facts labels.
MedLine is a medical-based resource for information about drug, herbs and supplements. Learn about your prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines. Includes side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more.
Partnership to End Drug Addiction is a visual educational guide to drugs, arranged by category.
Downlaod and Display: Drug Facts Label poster
Download and Display: How to Read an Adult-Use Cannabis Label in New York
Drug and Alcohol Impairment Information and Resources
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) main website with information on drug abuse, trends and statistics, treatment options and other resources.
Rx Awareness (CDC). CDC’s Rx Awareness campaign tells the stories of people whose lives were impacted by prescription opioids. The goals of the campaign are to increase awareness that prescription opioids can be addictive and dangerous, to reinforce that help is available for those suffering from an opioid use disorder, and to encourage those struggling with prescription opioids to visit the campaign website to locate help and resources.
Drug Overdose (CDC). CDC’s Division of Overdose Prevention provides data on use and overdoses involving a variety of drugs, such as prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. This site provides information on drug basics, overdose, prevention, state information, CDC publications, as well as a resource center for what you can do to prevent drug overdose deaths.
Cannabidiol (CBD)—Potential Harms, Side Effects, and Unknowns. SAMHSA Advisory (February 2023)
Implementing Community-Level Policies to Prevent Alcohol Misuse (Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series)
Engaging Community Coalitions to Decrease Opioid Overdose Deaths: Practice Guide 2023
- Download and share PDF file: Engaging Community Coalitions to Decrease Opioid Overdose Deaths
Responsibility.org Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Calculator. Calculate the probable BAC based on a person’s gender, weight, and number and type of drinks.
Opioids
National Safety Council (NSC)—Addressing the Opioid Crisis discusses the prescription drug abuse epidemic, how pain killers are driving addiction and overdose. Web page includes pain killer risks, what you can do.
Opioid Overdose Response Program Implementation Guide, from NSC Worker Wellbeing Hub.
Avoid the Risks of Taking Opioid Pain Relievers (NSC)
Stop Everyday Killers campaign (NSC). A Memorial to the Victims of the Opioid Crisis in Chicago, the exhibit includes a memorial wall made of pills – carved with faces that represent the 22,000 people lost each year to prescription opioid overdose. The website includes links to get “Opioids: Warn Me” labels to adhere to insurance and pharmacy cards, pre-paid envelopes for returning unused medications, as well as links to other useful resources.
- Opioids Warm Me Labels
- Reference sheet to start a conversation with your doctor if you are prescribed an opioid
Opioids for Acute Pain – What You Need to Know. (CDC)
Behind Prescription Drug Overdose Statistics: Louie Miceli video on Opioid abuse. (NSC)
Preventing an Opioid Overdose: Know the Signs. Save a Life. Opioid Overdose Basics (CDC)
Technology and Processes
An Investigation of the Druid® Smartphone/Tablet App as a Rapid Screening Assessment for Cognitive and Psychomotor Impairment Associated with Alcohol Intoxication. A report on the application of The DRUID® test as a potential rapid screening for cognitive and psychomotor impairment as a function of specific levels of alcohol that are known to have. Vision Development & Rehabilitation. (March, 2019)
NSC Six Steps to Respond to Potential Impairment, wallet card.
Data, Statistics and Published Articles
Trends in and Characteristics of Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyls — United States, 2019–2020. CDC published Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) (December 17, 2021)
Deaths Involving Fentanyl, Fentanyl Analogs, and U-47700 — 10 States, July–December 2016. CDC published Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) (November 3, 2017)
Illicit Drug Use, Illicit Drug Use Disorders, and Drug Overdose Deaths in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas — United States. CDC published Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) (October 20, 2017)
Trends in Deaths Involving Heroin and Synthetic Opioids Excluding Methadone, and Law Enforcement Drug Product Reports, by Census Region — United States, 2006–2015. CDC published Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) (September 1, 2017)
Contribution of Opioid-Involved Poisoning to the Change in Life Expectancy in the United States, 2000-2015 — includes examining the impact of drug (particularly those involving opioids) and alcohol poisoning deaths on U.S. life expectancy from 2000-2015, comparing them with the 12 leading causes of death in 2015. JAMA Network. (September 9, 2017)
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes – United States, 2019 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Includes results of the report; details of opioid prescribing; drug use, misuses, and substance use disorder; drug overdose mortality; and information on CDC’s opioid overdose surveillance and prevention efforts.
Resources for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers, Rehab and HELP Lines
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families. find help and treatment referrals at various help-lines and resources.
- Treatment resources
- The SAMHSA Drug-Free Workplace Helpline (1-800-WORKPLACE) provides confidential, practical, impartial, and up-to-date information, advice and support, free of charge to employees and their families. Topics cover a wide range of issues related to federal and non-federal Drug-Free Workplace Programs and drug testing. This service is designed to equip employees and their families with essential knowledge to resolve issues at work and/or in their personal lives. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday by professional advisers, including workplace specialists and certified Employee Assistance Program (EAPs) providers.
- Drug Free Helpline
FindTreatment.gov, the confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories.
Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.) resources throughout the world.
Narcotics Anonymous World Services locator for meetings, helplines and websites for local groups near you.
Alcohol.org is an American Addiction Centers (AAC) resource to help you find the information and support you need as you begin your recovery. Information on understanding alcoholism, treatment options, therapies, paying for alcohol treatment, and more are addressed.
Verywell Mind offers helpful resources on treatment centers, types of treatment, issues, resources and more for drug and alcohol abuse.
American Society of Addiction Medicine patient resources.
American Society of Addiction Medicine patient guide includes information on assessment, treatment overview (including treatment plans, patient participation, and counseling), and all the medications available to treat opioid use and overdose. It also provides links to find a provider and support groups for patients and families.
Stop Everyday Killers campaign (NSC) link to Get help for an Opioid Use Disorder.
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Programs, Sample Policies and Cost Calculations
National Safety Council (NSC) main site—provides information on many safety, health and environmental topics, training resources (e.g., worker safety), products, publications and news.
Substance Use: How Employers can Make a Difference (NSC). Employers in every industry have an opportunity to support their employees struggling with substance use, but they might not know how to get started. Learn about the first steps an employer can make, including: recognizing the impact of workplace impairment, educating and engaging your workforce, training your supervisors and employees to spot the first signs of substance misuse and impairment, leveraging employee assistance programs, resources to help employees return to work, supporting employees in recovery; and more.
- Implications of Drug Use for Employers
- NSC Tools Help You Recognize, Respond to Impairment at Work–contains a drug workplace cost calculator, free tools to address drug misuse, resources, reports and more.
NSC Real Costs of Substance Abuse in Your Workforce.
The Drug-Free Workplace Toolkit—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): information to help employers develop and sustain successful drug-free workplace programs and support workplace health and safety. Use the toolkit to help create and maintain drug-free workplace policies and programs to prevent the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; address substance misuse within the context of workplace health and wellness programs; and provide intervention services for employees and for their families.
The Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance publishes regulations and provides official interpretations on drug and alcohol testing, including how to conduct tests, and the evaluation and treatment procedures necessary for returning employees to duty after testing violations. The Office also coordinates the Department’s involvement with the President’s National Drug Control Strategy annually. (Transportation.gov)
Drugs in Workplace a Danger to Workers and Drag on Productivity. Insurance Journal. (September 22, 2017)
A Substance Use Cost Calculator for U.S. Employers with an Emphasis on Prescription Pain Medication Misuse – discusses the underlying research for a cost calculator that determines employer costs with an emphasis on pain medication misuse. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (November, 2017)
Society for Human Resource Management: Top Employer Questions About Weed and the Workplace. This publication is a product of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) informed by the Communities That HEAL (CTH) Intervention Manual and integral contributions from research and community partners across four research sites. This guide was developed in recognition of the need to center community engagement throughout the efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis. This guide exists to help communities decrease opioid overdose deaths; it includes tools and real-world examples that can be used to build and strengthen community coalitions that work to reduce opioid overdose deaths.
Fatigue Impairment
National Safety Council (NSC) Fatigue at Work Employer Toolkit. Fatigue affects every workforce. Fatigue decreases a worker’s ability to think clearly, make informed decisions, and be a safe and productive worker. This toolkit discusses the causes and consequences of fatigue in the workplace, risky employer practices, developing an effective Fatigue Risk Management System, and more.
- Real Costs of Fatigue in the Workplace calculator
- Managing Fatigue—Developing an Effective Fatigue Risk Management System
Highland Park Department of Public Safety Uses Druid to Assess Officers’ Fatigue study provides critical data to support duty shift changes that won’t endanger officers or the public. The study helped inform decisions regarding the optimal shifts of duty for its officers—to establish a work a pattern of 48-hours on duty and 96-hours off duty to allow more recuperative time. (October 15, 2021)
Mental Health
National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Anyone in the United States experiencing a mental health crisis can text or dial 988 for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a caring, trained counselor who can help.
- Dial or text 988 on a phone or mobile device.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- By phone: dial 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Mental Health Employer Cost Calculator. The National Safety Council (NSC) has collaborated with an independent research institution, NORC at the University of Chicago, to create a tool demonstrating the cost of employee mental health and illness for employers. This cost calculator is an authoritative, easy-to-use tool providing business leaders with specific information about the cost of mental health (including depression, anxiety, and general mental distress) in their workplace based on the size of employee base, industry, and state.
Impaired Driving
Our Driving Concern provides free resources for your transportation safety program.
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) cost of crashes calculators:
The Impaired Driving Coalition of Canada (IDCC) created a National Action Plan including initiatives to empower communities to tackle impaired driving. Available products posted as completed.
Texas Department of Transportation’s Impaired Driving Task Force resources website was designed to create awareness about the impaired driving problem and to offer resources and support for countermeasures against impaired driving.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – main site for highway safety information, statistics, technology and innovation, risky driving, recalls, and more. NHTSA’s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic, crashes, through education, research, safety standards, and enforcement.
National Safety Council Injury Facts research.
Sign up to receive the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behind the Wheel at Work Newsletter.
Other Useful Links and Agencies
NSC Injury Facts —This annual compilation of real-world data helps make a strong case for workplace safety programs. All of these resources feature quick-to-grasp visuals.
National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of prescription drug diversion. NADDI also sponsors and conducts specialized educational seminars and conferences.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) works to reduce drug use and its consequences by leading and coordinating the development, implementation, and assessment of U.S. drug policy. ONDCP also provides administrative and financial support to the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.
The Rx and Illicit Drug Summit—formerly the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit—is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers, and allied communities impacted by prescription drug misuse and illicit drug use. It is the event for decision-makers and allied professionals working to address this public health emergency. The Summit is now the largest annual gathering for stakeholders to discuss what’s working in prevention and treatment.
National District Attorneys Association’s website with news, legal issues, courses, publications and materials.
Cannabis Regulations (NSC). Marijuana use is still illegal under federal law, but many states allow medical and recreational use. State and local laws and regulations are ever-changing. That’s why NSC has created an online tool for keeping up to date on the legalization and regulation of cannabis in the U.S.
Worksheet for calculating cost of employee turnover, as featured in the Huffington Post article, How Much Does Employee Turnover Really Cost? by Jack Altman, CEO of Lattice as published on line at Huffington Post, 01/18/2017 02:08 p.m. ET Updated Jan. 19, 2017.