Staff Writer
HOULTON — Apathy and social denial were viewed as among the most common factors in today’s ongoing battle against drug use in the community and that was something that can be changed.
Representatives from the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) and Link For Hope teamed together with local businesses for an Eggs N’ Issues meeting titled “It’s Not My Problem.”
Despite a small turnout for the breakfast meeting, those in attendance recognized a need for involvement from the business community on various fronts. The point raised the most is that those using drugs are employed and serving the public and employers need to learn how to prevent substance abuse in their company, as well as know how to recognize and intervene if possible.
Clare Desrosiers from ASAP presented the group with numerous options on how they can become more involved in community drug abuse prevention. One point raised was the fact that drug abuse is a “community problem,” which affects all aspects of a community.
Desrosiers said the bottom line for small Maine businesses is that on average, one in 10 employees will have a substance abuse problem, which in turn costs the employer when time is missed due to the abuse, as well as time spent training the individual and then having to replace them. Desrosiers said businesses could become proactive by creating their own prevention programs such as a written policy, employee education, supervisor training, employee assistance programs or drug testing. The sure way to preventing drug abuse in the workplace is through drug testing, although Desrosiers said other prevention programs are successful as well.
Desrosiers reported that when asked about drug testing, more than 80 percent of Maine’s workforce either supported it or didn’t care if it took place or not. She said those numbers show that those seeking employment are not objecting to that form of preventative program.
In a poll created by ASAP, a business link focus group showed that many felt the access and availability of drugs in southern Aroostook County were high, as well as the issue of social denial and apathy. In the same poll, it was also felt that drug education for parents and employers was needed more than anything else, as well as mentoring and financial support and assistance.
Link For Hope representatives Trudy O’Bar and Becky Miller spoke out about the urgency of becoming more involved and said businesses need to be included as part of the solution.
“It’s not just the school’s problem or an enforcement issue,” remarked Miller. “It’s everyone’s problem.”
Miller said that by teaming up with ASAP, they are creating a larger voice to combat the issue.
For more information go online www.healthymainepartnerships.org, www.maineosa.org, www.maineparents.net, workplace.samhsa.gov, theanitdrug.com/atwork or www.ensuringsolutions.org or contact Desrosiers at 521-2408.
