‘Recovery-Friendly Workplace’ designation now available to Nevada businesses

CARSON CITY — In an ongoing effort to address substance use prevention and treatment in the Silver State, Gov. Brian Sandoval has launched a campaign to help Nevadans recovering from addiction and help employers looking to provide a workplace that supports recovery.

Gov. Sandoval and the Department of Health and Human Services have started a Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program to reduce the stigma of substance use and encourage workplaces to support treatment and recovery. This program encourages business owners to educate their staff on substance use and recovery; to develop policies and procedures to support recovery of an employee; and support employees who are caring for a family member in recovery. The program is designed to give business owners free resources — including training, policy guidance, and technical assistance — to become a recovery-friendly workplace.

The Recovery-Friendly Workplace program adds another element to the Governor’s ongoing efforts to combat the stigma surrounding substance abuse that hinders sobriety. One year ago, Gov. Sandoval signed into law Assembly Bill 474 (AB 474), which expanded and updated state laws related to the reporting of drug overdoses, provided protocols for health care providers who prescribe controlled substances for the treatment of pain, and enacted the Prescribe 365 initiative. Through the implementation of AB 474, Nevada has seen a reduction of almost one-third in initial opioid prescriptions.

Additionally, according to the National Safety Council, Nevada is one of only two states recognized nationally on the implementation of six key actions identified as model policy and practice in addressing the opioid epidemic:

— Mandating prescriber education
— Implementing opioid prescribing guidelines
— Integrating Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs into clinical settings
— Improving data collection and sharing
— Treating opioid overdose
— Increasing availability of opioid use disorder treatment

“Substance abuse issues touch almost everyone’s life,” said Richard Whitley, director of the Department of Health and Human Services. “With so much time spent in the workplace, it only makes sense to offer additional support to employees and their families.”

Businesses that already offer a recovery-friendly environment can visit recoveryfriendlyworkplace.nv.gov and click the “Participating Businesses” link at the bottom of the page where they’ll find a form to complete that will enable them to be acknowledged as an early adopter in the state.

Recovery-friendly workplaces are promoted through the Department of Health and Human Services’ social media and websites, and employers will receive a certificate acknowledging this designation upon meeting several criteria.

To help businesses develop programs and policies to support wellness, DHHS is looking for a small business (fewer than 50 employees) and a large business representative to serve on the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Advisory Committee. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should send an email to RecoveryFriendlyWP@health.nv.gov.

For more information on the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program, visit: recoveryfriendlyworkplace.nv.gov. Go here for more information on other Worksite Wellness and Family-Friendly Programs.