Drug and Substance Abuse
Substance abuse affects not only the individual, but families, businesses, and, ultimately, the local economy. Healthcare costs, public safety issues, worker productivity, attendance on the job, employer liability and revenue are all affected. In light of the current workforce shortage, some employers accept or ignore substance abuse in the workplace on the premise that an employee using drugs is better than no employee at all. The community's response to the issue of substance abuse will affect how visitors, employees and prospective businesses perceive the community.
Drug and Substance Abuse Goal 1:
Educate employers and the public to change the cultural acceptance of substance abuse as an acceptable practice that only affects the individual.
Drug and Substance Abuse Initiative 1:
Work
with lawmakers to strengthen substance abuse laws.
Strengthen
existing coalitions combating drug abuse by developing
and implementing action plans with clear methods for measuring success.
Provide
education for students and adults that emphasizes not only the harm of
substance abuse to the individual but its affects on families, businesses, and
the community as a whole.
Create
substance-free activities and activity centers for students and adults.
Create
incentives and award programs for students and adults.
Announce,
celebrate, and build on successes.
Collaborative Partners:
Volunteers of America/WYSTAR, Northern Wyoming Mental Health, law enforcement, Cloud Peak Initiatives, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: February 2007
Complete: December 2010
Drug and Substance Abuse Goal 2:
Implementation of drug policies and drug-testing programs across all industries in Sheridan County.
Drug and Substance Abuse Initiative 2:
Establish
criteria for what constitutes a "drug-free" workplace.
Create
incentives and award programs for employers meeting criteria for a drug-free
workplace.
Collaborative Partners:
Volunteers of America/WYSTAR, Northern Wyoming Mental Health, law enforcement, Cloud Peak Initiatives, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Sheridan Association, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: February 2007
Complete: July 2009
Click here to view the entire Economic Development Strategic Plan for Sheridan County, Wyoming.