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The opioid epidemic affects all facets of a community, and the workplace is no exception. Employee wellness, safety and absenteeism are all significant concerns. In the past, many employers would not consider retaining an applicant or employee who failed a drug or alcohol screen. But in this tight labor market and evolved understanding of the nature of addiction, many employers are rethinking the zero tolerance approach to substance abuse and are building in mechanisms to give employees a second chance. Typically, these second chance policies require the employee to take active steps to deal with the underlying issue, which helps increase the chances of long term success.
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In response to the rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome (up from 2.8 per 1,000 live births to 14.4 since 1999 among Medicaid-insured deliveries), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed the collaborative frameworks of 12 states on the forefront of opioid use disorder. These multidisciplinary state teams identified five focus areas: access to and coordination of quality services; provider awareness and training; data monitoring, and evaluation; financing and coverage; and ethical, legal and social considerations. Implementing these strategies to improve health care quality and training providers are important to addressing the opioid crisis. Future work with state teams might focus on increasing surveillance and evaluation, sustaining coverage, and reducing stigma experienced by women and infants.
School administrators, faculty and support staff face a host of mental health needs among students in K-12 and higher education. In response, SAMHSA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released a resource to help states and schools address mental health and substance use disorders. Compiled by the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network, this guide provides resources specific to addressing the unique mental health training and technical assistance needs of schools serving rural and remote communities. Underscoring the purpose of the document was the recognition that schools, communities and families often lack “comprehensive treatment and services for children and youth,” particularly in rural areas.
 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a brochure that provides an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). The SIM is a strategic planning tool that helps communities better understand the gaps and resources they have in helping those with substance use disorders or mental illness who are in the criminal justice system. Click here to utilize this tool in your own community.
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