For Immediate Release:  July 15, 2015

Contact: Taylor Lier, PDFNJ Media Coordinator, 201-916-1032, taylor@drugfreenj.org

 17th Annual Legal Issues of a Drug-Free Workplace Member Seminar Emphasizes the Impact of Rx Drug Abuse in an Organization

SAYREVILLE -- New Jersey businesses and organizations had the opportunity to learn more about the significance of keeping the workplace substance abuse free, today, at the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) 17^th Annual Legal Issues of a Drug-Free Workplace Member Seminar.

The event featured discussion regarding the impact of drug abuse in the workplace and protocols businesses and organizations should take to prevent drug and substance abuse. The seminar was hosted by PDFNJ as part of their Drugs Don’t Work in NJ! program in cooperation with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Nancy N. Delogu, a recognized authority on federal and state drug-free workplace and drug-testing issues, was featured as the keynote speaker at the seminar. Delogu shared her knowledge of drug abuse issues affecting the workplace, having had a vital role in drafting dozens of substance-abuse prevention policies, including Department of Transportation mandated programs. The seminar also recognized additional topics such as the impact of prescription drug abuse in the workplace, medical and legalized recreational marijuana, drug testing protocols, and trends in drug use.

Angelo M. Valente, executive director of PDNJ, explained, “The workplace seminar was a great way to take the initiative in informing employers on how to combat the problem with drug abuse in work environments. With informative sessions such as this, we are able to get companies and organizations the assistance they need to control this growing problem that many work environments throughout the state are currently facing.” He noted, “this issue is important in light of last week’s report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found rising heroin abuse rates among men and women, in most age groups, and all income levels but surging levels among those with private insurance.”

The report found that the strongest risk factor for heroin use is prescription opioid abuse and that the greatest increases in heroin abuse have occurred in groups with historically lower rates of heroin use, including women, people with private insurance and higher incomes.

The seminar was offered to all Drugs Don’t Work in NJ members free of charge. Membership in Drugs Don’t Work in NJ! is at no cost to all New Jersey businesses and organizations.

Founded in 1992, Drugs Don’t Work in NJ merged with PDFNJ in 1999 in the effort to assist business owners and public sector employers in making their work atmospheres drug-free. According to statistics, 70 percent of drug abusers are employed and, on average, these individuals find jobs within companies that have no existing drug policy.

The drug-free workplace seminar took place at the Middlesex County Fire Academy, 1001 Fire Academy Drive, Sayreville.

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Best known for its statewide anti-drug advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication.  To date, more than $50 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception the Partnership has garnered over 46 Advertising and Public Relations Awards from National, Regional & Statewide Media Organizations.