Since 1985, the National Red Ribbon Campaign® has been a staple of drug prevention education in schools and communities across the country. You may likely remember participating in Red Ribbon Week® activities at your school or with your children’s school. Red Ribbon Week® is hosted October 23rd – October 31st each year and consists of a variety of contests and community activities that promote the importance of a drug-free life.

As Red Ribbon Week® kicks off, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce encourages you to invest in a similar mindset and action plan for your business. Our communities and businesses thrive in a drug-free environment – that’s why our Chamber encourages the Drugs Don’t Work program to help business owners maintain a drug-free workplace.

Drugs Don’t Work (DDW) in Georgia is a program of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc., a 44-year-old nonprofit 501(c)3 drug prevention agency headquartered in Atlanta. DDW is a partnership program of many organizations, including local chambers of commerce, and is the official drug-free workplace services provider of the state of Georgia.

As a Georgia business, do you think drugs don’t affect you? Take a look at these facts:

  • 38-50% of workers’ compensation claims are related to substance abuse.
  • Substance abusers file 3-5 times more workers’ comp claims.
  • Substance abusers have 300% higher medical costs/benefits.
  • Substance abusers are 2.5 times more likely to be absent from work.
  • 77% of adult drug users are employed.

Enrollment and certification through the DDW program can help lower workers’ compensation premiums by 7.5%. To receive these benefits, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Institute a substance abuse policy. The program provides English and Spanish translations.
  2. Conduct drug testing. Not all employees are required to be tested, however, pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing are required. While random drug testing is not required, it is suggested. The program provides a certified testing provider list.
  3. Conduct on-going employee education. The program provides a monthly newsletter for employees in both English and Spanish to equal the required two hours of training annually. Half of the training must be complete before applying for certification.
  4. Oversee supervisor education. The program provides newsletters to distribute to supervisors for one hour of annual training. The balance of required training can be accomplished by a drug awareness trainer. Half of the training must be complete before applying for certification.
  5. Post the provided referral list of treatment services.
  6. Submit your application to the State Board of Worker’s Compensation annually for Certification.

Drug use in your business costs money, customers, and a loss in productivity! Download the Drugs Don’t Work application on the Chamber’s website to become enrolled and certified in this important program.