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Blogs from July, 2025

Supervisor in Meridian reviewing opioid education materials with warehouse staff during a safety meeting.

A Smarter Way to Handle Opioids on the Job

When opioid misuse makes its way into the workplace, the impact can be major. Productivity slips. Safety risks increase. And employees you count on may be struggling silently.

This is where prevention and support come together. The two key pieces that stands out in fighting opioid misuse on the job are workplace education and access to help through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Let’s break down how both can work for your team.

Make Education Part of the Culture

According to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), one of the biggest risks for opioid misuse at work is simply not talking about it. Many employees aren’t aware of the dangers or the signs to watch for in themselves or others. That’s where a consistent, job-specific education plan can make all the difference.

Here’s what works:

  • Keep it regular. A one-time video won’t cut it. Add drug awareness training to onboarding, safety refreshers, and annual meetings.
     
  • Make it relatable. Focus on real-life scenarios. Pain after an injury, pressure to perform, fear of reporting.
     
  • Back it with policy. When education aligns with your written drug-free workplace policy, it shows that safety and support go hand-in-hand.
     
  • Create peer support. Encourage supervisors and team leads to spot the warning signs and know how to respond without shame or judgment.

NIOSH notes that education is especially important in physically demanding fields where injury risk is high and downtime feels like a threat.

EAPs Work Best When People Know They Exist

Employee Assistance Programs are one of the most underused tools in workplace wellness.

A strong EAP can:

  • Provide access to confidential counseling.
     
  • Connect employees to opioid recovery programs and treatment centers.
     
  • Offer mental health resources to deal with stress, pain, or trauma.
     
  • Support return-to-work strategies after treatment.
     

The Department of Labor’s Recovery Ready Workplace initiative emphasizes that recovery is possible. But employees need a system that makes asking for help feel safe and supported.

How Fastest Labs of Meridian Fits into the Picture

At Fastest Labs of Meridian, we partner with you to build smarter, safer workplaces across Idaho.

When you’re building a program that includes drug education and support systems, we offer:

  • Customized testing protocols to support your drug-free workplace policy.
     
  • Rapid testing with accurate, confidential results.
     
  • Training resources for HR and supervisors to handle results the right way.
     
  • Insight into trends affecting local industries, so you can stay ahead.
     

Our team works with employers in Boise, Meridian, and across the Treasure Valley to implement strategies that reduce risk without creating a culture of fear. If you’re ready to tighten up your policies or want to talk through what an effective program could look like, we’re here to help.

Visit www.fastestlabs.com/meridian or call us at (208) 314-3833 to take the next step toward a safer, healthier workplace.