That the opioid crisis is wreaking havoc on individuals’ lives, tearing families apart and straining municipal emergency response resources is well documented. What is getting less attention is the effects opioid use and misuse may have in the workplace – and the role of work-related injuries in making a person susceptible to opioid addiction.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is using its Total Worker Health® principles to develop solutions to help workers and employers cope with the epidemic in their communities.

NIOSH has also launched a new webpage, NIOSH’s Response to Opioid Use in the Workplace, which will be continually updated as new information becomes available. The page provides resources related to opioid misuse from the CDC and other sources, on specific topics (Fentanyl) as well as more general ones (Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention).

Employers would do well to bookmark the web page – then check back regularly for updates.