Massachusetts Health Council Hosts Opioid Epidemic Conference

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The Massachusetts Health Council is hosting a morning conference, titled "Our Workplaces and the Opioid Epidemic: What We Need to Know, What We Can Do", to aid Massachusetts employers in addressing the opioid epidemic sweeping the state. Click here for more details and to register for this important event. NEHRA members will receive a $10 discount off the ticket price and will pay just $75 to attend the full-morning conference. To receive the discount, use "memberticket" as the promo code when registering. 

Despite all the news stories, despite the fact that Governor Baker was in Washington, DC last week talking with our delegation about the epidemic and despite the fact that the MA Legislature passed a multi-pronged law recently to address it, we cannot afford to think the opioid epidemic is under control. Officials are saying that "it has not crested" yet. It is worse here in Massachusetts than in other states. Sadly, this issue often only explodes into our personal consciousness when a loved one, neighbor, employee or co-worker is suddenly gone due to a fatal overdose from pain pills, heroin or heroin laced with fentanyl. Others may not have even known the person had a problem.

In selecting topics and speakers, the Massachusetts Health Council received input from NEHRA, various chambers of commerce across the region including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). "The business community in Massachusetts was very responsive when we asked them what they felt they needed to know about how to address the opiate crisis. They helped us design our conference so that attendees will have practical information they can use to make their workplace better," said David Martin, the Mass. Health Council’s Executive Director.

Presenters will provide information on educating and intervening to PREVENT addiction as well as how to manage and be supportive when an employee or an employee’s family member is affected. The conference is targeted to the needs and concerns of all employers and those who advise them on the health, well-being and legal risks pertaining to employees. There will be a Q&A for each portion, so you can get your questions answered and hear the concerns expressed by other Massachusetts employers.

We cannot afford to have "headline fatigue" around the opioid epidemic. Members of the Business Community must be prepared, like other community sectors, with basic knowledge about the crisis at hand. There are many steps employers can take and this conference will provide tips and guidance from a range of speakers. Human Resources professionals, benefits consultants and executives, managers and supervisors at all levels will benefit from attending.

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