ARP assists businesses and human service organizations (e.g. public health agencies, family resource centers and community coalitions) to identify the risks for substance abuse within their constituencies or employees.  We provide education, screenings, assessments, drug screenings, research-based prevention education programs and treatment when indicated.

Workplace-specific programs provide employers with credible, authoritative, evidence-based information, resources, and tools for creating and maintaining drug-free workplace policies and programs.

FAQ

What is the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on my company?
Drug and alcohol problems in the workplace cost American employers billions of dollars each year ($274b in 1995). Understanding the impact of substance abuse on the workplace—and the benefits of facilitating workers’ access to prevention and treatment—can help employers build a healthier workforce and a healthier bottom line.

Healthcare costs are excessive. Healthcare costs for employees with alcohol problems are twice as high as those for other employees.
Risk increases. People who abuse drugs or alcohol are three and one-half times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident, resulting in increased workers’ compensation and disability claims.3
Other workers suffer. Fourteen percent of employees in one survey said they had to re-do work within the preceding year because of a co-worker’s drinking.
Employed relatives pay. More than half of working family members of alcoholics report that their own ability to function at work and at home was negatively impacted by their family member's drinking.
Absenteeism increases. Alcoholism is estimated to cost 500 million lost workdays annually.
Employment is less stable. Individuals who are current illicit drug users are more than twice as likely (12.3 percent) as those who are not (5.1 percent) to have changed employers three or more times in the past year.

Information excerpted from: [1] [2]

What are the benefits to my company or organization?

• Reduced absenteeism and job turnover
• Improved worker productivity and job performance
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Fewer workplace accidents and disability claims

How much time does it take?
The demonstration program offered by the Small Business Administration under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 specified the following six components (Components of a Drug Free Workplace – SAMHSA):

1. A clear written policy
2. A minimum of 2 hours of training for all employees
3. Additional training for working parents
4. Drug testing by a certified institution
5. Access to an EAP
6. A continuing drug and alcohol abuse prevention program

The first step is doing an assessment. ARP can assist with this process which provides a basis for deciding what kinds and combinations of services need to be provided. Stand- alone program modules of “Healthy Workplace” can be implemented in as little as three 45-minute sessions.

Another prevention program is “Coping With Work and Family Stress,” which is designed to teach employees 18 years and older how to deal with stressors at work and at home. The sixteen 90-minute sessions are typically provided weekly to groups of 15-20 employees. The program teaches effective methods for reducing risk factors (stressors and avoidance coping) and enhancing protective factors (active coping and social support).  These goals are achieved through behavior modification (e.g., methods to modify or eliminate sources of stress), information sharing (e.g., didactic presentations, group discussions), and skill development (e.g., learning effective communication and problem-solving skills, expanding use of social network).

How much of an investment will this be?
The fee for delivering curriculum based prevention programs is $50/hr and $75/hr for needs assessment and other non-standardized technical assistance work.

If we have a drug problem in our community, what can we do?
Substance abuse is a systemic problem and the community as a whole must be engaged in reducing risk factors, increasing protective factors/assets and orienting the community to conditions of thriving.  ARP Prevention professionals provide technical assistance and use the Strategic Prevention Framework as a model for how to work with a community that is ready to be engaged in dealing with substance abuse.

What kind of communities do you work with?
We work within neighborhoods, low income housing areas, cities, health service organizations, communities of interest/associations, and entire counties.


To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Prevention professional, please call 828-254-2700 or 877-678-2696 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .