Last year, over 5,000 Ohioans died from a drug overdose – a number that has quietly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The drugs behind the overdoses are all over the map, from fentanyl to methamphetamines. There is no denying that addiction is a public health crisis. With our state being an unfortunate hotspot of this type of activity, most of our lives have been touched by it in some way – as family members, as friends, and even as employers and co-workers. Not only can it be heart-breaking, but drug and alcohol abuse also costs American employers as much as $100 billion dollars each year in lost productivity, injuries, increased healthcare costs and costs associated with backfilling positions.

Gov. Dewine has committed millions of dollars to helping Ohio businesses hire, manage and retain employees who are in recovery. The Substance Abuse Recovery and Workplace Safety Program will be administered through Ohio BWC and ADAMHS (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services). The funds will go toward reimbursing employers for associated costs like policy development & review, employee & supervisor training, and drug testing. This is available to all state-fund employers in Ohio (reporting payroll and paying premiums to BWC), whose policies are in good standing. Participating employers will also gain access to Better You, Better Ohio – a cost-free wellness program typically only accessible to employers of certain sizes and industries.

What you may be wondering is, “How much extra work will it create for my company?” The good news is, this seems less cumbersome than some of BWC’s other programs that promise returns or savings. The enrollment form is basic demographic info that you should already know.  You’ll need to submit copies of your substance abuse policies, and of course provide invoices & receipts for any services rendered. The only caveat is that reimbursement for drug testing is limited to employers with “second chance” policies that clarify that an employee’s first failed drug screen will not result in termination. This usually entails the employer offering a second chance to an employee who has tested positive, wherein they would be able to keep their job by agreeing to and meeting certain requirements. These typically consist of counseling, substance abuse treatment and follow-up testing for a certain period of time.

If your company is interested in getting started with this program, your team at Spooner is happy to help you navigate it and recommend testing facilities, trainers, and counsel to review your policies. It’s not often that an Ohio BWC reimbursement program is made this simple and achievable for employers, so we highly recommend checking it out! Especially employers in the Drug Free Safety Program, who are already completing most of the requirements. You can find specifics on the reimbursement amounts here.