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To succeed in becoming productive employees in the 21st Century economy,
people who experience alcohol and drug problems often require substance
abuse treatment as well as employment services.
Integrating substance abuse treatment and employment services benefits
both types of services. Because alcohol and drug abuse can prevent
otherwise capable individuals from securing employment, individuals
with related problems may not be able to benefit from workforce development
services until they get treatment. In turn, workforce development
increases the likelihood of success for those in treatment for or
in recovery from addiction. Steady employment contributes to sustained
sobriety by serving as a rewarding, meaningful alternative to drug
use.
Examples of increased integration include:
- Co-locating substance abuse treatment personnel at One-Stop
Career Centers to provide onsite screening and assessment for
substance abuse problems.
- Co-locating workforce development staff at treatment facilities
to provide job training and placement services.
- Training workforce development personnel on substance
abuse basics and how to appropriately refer job seekers who
may need treatment.
- Offering non-medical treatment services such as counseling and
other support services at One-Stop Career Centers.
- Having substance abuse treatment service agencies or providers
participate on WIBs.
A number of Drug-Free Workforce Promising Practices provide examples of effective collaboration and
service coordination in action. These were developed and presented as part of the July 2003 Drug-Free Workforce Conference
convened by DOL. This conference explored ways employers, substance abuse treatment professionals and
workforce development providers can collaborate to improve productivity and other employment outcomes
for individuals with a history of substance abuse.
A number of resources can help foster increased collaboration. The
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s
(SAMHSA) Substance
Abuse Treatment Locator offers the opportunity for employment
service providers to locate treatment facilities in their communities.
Likewise, America’s
Service Locator can connect treatment providers with employment
service providers in their communities. Treatment providers also may
be able to be included as a service provider in this public online
database. America’s Service Locator is one component in a series
of online tools, collectively called Career
One Stop.
A number of national
and state organizations
also may be able to assist in addressing
drug and alcohol issues in the workforce setting.
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