In an effort to address the current opioid epidemic and what employers can do to protect their businesses and assist troubled employees, the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Lakeland Community College is hosting a free workshop "The Opioid Crisis in the Workplace: The Proactive Role Employers Can Take," Wednesday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Holden University Center of Lakeland, 4242 St. Rt. 306, Kirtland, 44094. Registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.

The program moderator will be Randi M. Ostry, Esq., director of Statewide Substance Use Education and Business Initiatives at Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's Office. Panelists will include experts from University Hospitals, Working Partners®, the Lake County ADAMHS Board, Dworken and Bernstein, Co., L.P.A., Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and the Geauga United Way.

Topics covered include:

• What opioids are, why they are being abused and how someone becomes addicted.

• How to identify people who may be at risk for addiction-know the warning signs.

• Increasing communication/training for employees to raise awareness.

• Conditions protected under the ADA, approaching employees with a possible addiction, legal implications associated with employees who may be under the influence of opioids and other substances, avoiding lawsuits and other legal concerns.

• Employee assistance programs, drug testing programs, training sessions for supervisors/employees, second chance programs and other resources for help and treatment.

• How to decrease accidents, workers' compensation claims and receive insurance discounts.

The program is free but registration is required by May 21 at lakelandcc.edu/sbdc. For more information, call Angela Clements Cattell at 440.525.7706.

By: Jessica Novak