The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry (CCCBI) Speaker Series continues with Opioids in the Workplace. On May 2, 2024 from 12 PM – 1 PM with lunch provided, business owners and employees can learn about how Opioids and drug overdoses affects your customers, employees, and employee’s friends and families.

Addiction in Pennsylvania has increased by 1400 percent since 2014 and it affects everyone in some way. The speakers will discuss the opioid and overdose issue in our community, an understanding how Human Resources (HR) can address the issue in the workplace, and how to administer Naloxone. The county will bring many of its resources and materials as handouts.

Addiction is a difficult subject, but business leaders should understand the issue and what you can do. Over lunch, guest speaker Michelle Gallo, Chester County’s Director of Human Resources will talk about how HR can address the issue, “Do you know your drug policy?” The second speaker is Kathy Collier, Chester County Prevention Program Manager, Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. She will provide perspectives on the overdose issue and a short demonstration on how to administer Naloxone, the opioid reversing drug that can save lives.

Special guests Honorable John Bailey, Commissioner Eric Roe and Deputy County Administrator Erik T. Walschburger will also be in attendance during the open Q&A with attendees to discuss opioids in the workplace.

This speaker series will be moderated by Jim Selken of Continental Realty and Bob Rafetto, who brought together this dynamic group of resources. When asked about the Genesis of this topic; Selken said: “I worked for a Big Box retailer who had an employee with a known addiction problem. One day he came in impaired and it hit me, if safety is the concern, what is the company policy with an addicted employee? If there is a company policy, I am not aware of it or how to keep myself safe?”

Rafetto had an employee die while working with the equipment. Police started CPR until the ambulance administered Naloxone that saved his life.

The data provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states “The opioid overdose epidemic is the worst public health crisis in Pennsylvania and the nation, in almost a generation. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to preventing addiction, saving lives and getting Pennsylvanians into treatment.”

All are welcome to attend this informative Speaker Series. Registration for CCCBI Members is FREE and Non-Members are $35.

Visit CCCBI for additional information.