Madison Messenger - December 8th, 2019

www.madisonmessengernews.com December 8, 2019 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 21
Clinic helps employers recruit drug-free workers
Never before have employers been forced
to deal with the magnitude of issues impacting
their ability to operate drug-free: the
opioid epidemic, the legalization of medical
marijuana, the recent rise in employee use
of cocaine and methamphetamine, and the
record-setting increase in positive workplace
drug tests.
Coupled with the area’s low unemployment
rate, finding healthy, drug-free workers
has become difficult for many companies
in the community. Meanwhile, a recent
study of employers in Ohio showed that most
could be doing more to prevent and respond
to substance misuse in their workforces.
In response, Mental Health & Recovery
Board of Clark, Greene & Madison Counties
(MHRB) has joined forces with Working
Partners and Clark State Community College
to address this problem through the
Technical Assistance Clinic.
“Clark State Community College is
proud to partner with MHRB to bring this
important information to our business community.
Understanding the role of addiction
and trauma in employment and the technical
and legal process of a second-chance policy
will provide an enormous return on
investment for the businesses who participate
in hiring, retention, productivity and
employee engagement,” said Lesli Beavers,
director of workforce and business solutions
at Clark State.
The event also is endorsed by Beavercreek
Chamber of Commerce, Fairborn Area
Chamber of Commerce, Greene County Department
of Development, Ohio Means Jobs
Madison County, and Xenia Area Chamber
of Commerce.
Available for $25 to all employers in the
board’s three-county area, this one-day
clinic will provide employers with the education,
written resources, and a tool to audit
their drug-free workplace (DFWP) efforts
and hear experiences and tips from area
businesses who run effective DFWP programs.
“We believe this is an excellent opportunity
for local businesses to really explore
and understand the issues impacting their
drug-free workplace and respond to these
issues in a meaningful way,” said Greta
Mayer, chief executive officer at MHRB.
“This clinic will give businesses the tools
they need to strengthen or start on the journey
to create an effective drug-free workplace
program.
Business leaders attending the course
will learn about a wide variety of topics related
to operating drug-free, including:
• five elements of a best-practice DFWP
program;
• essential components of an effective
DFWP policy;
• mandates and authorities impacting
DFWP programs;
• operationalizing Ohio’s new medical
marijuana law;
• how to establish an effective secondchance
system;
• local resources available to assist employees
and their family members with substance
misuse and other mental health issues;
• drug-free rebates available through
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation;
and
• employer opportunities for promoting
overall mental health in their workplace.
The clinic is set for Jan. 14 at Brinkman
Educational Center, 100 S. Limestone St.,
Springfield. Business leaders interested in
learning more or registering for the clinic
should visit https://TAclinic.eventbrite.com
or send email to brianna@mhrb.org.
Puzzle solution
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Generous Knights of Pythias
Jim Davis (left) and Dave Caudill (right), members of Mount Sterling Knights of the
Pythias 194, present donations to Annie Tomlinson, director of the Mount Sterling
Community Center, for the center’s Christmas in the Village celebration, food pantry
and other programs.
Dave Caudill (left), a member of Mount Sterling Knights of the Pythias 194, presents
a donation for the Tri-County Joint Fire District’s Christmas toy drive. Accepting the
donation are Tri-County Chief Dave Taylor, Tolles student Logan Patrick and Tri-County
firefighter Riley McGraw.