Substance Abuse Costs WV's Workforce System $12 Million Annually

The WV Prevention Resource Center has released its latest cost of substance abuse report. “The Financial Burden of Substance Abuse in West Virginia: The Workforce System” is now available online. Although drug and alcohol abuse seriously impact the workforce system in terms of productivity, efficiency, and other factors, data illuminating those costs have yet to be systematically collected. The present report, therefore, limits its scope to the cost of worker absenteeism related to drug and alcohol abuse. Worker absenteeism is defined as the extra days substance using workers are absent compared to non-users. This report estimates that drug and alcohol abuse-related worker absenteeism costs the state over $12 million a year.

News Release

Report

WV Summit on Prescription Drug Abuse

Friday, February 25, 2011
University of Charleston – Ballroom – Geary Student Union

Register online now or call 1-800-659-8726 for assistance. The deadline for registration is February 18, 2011, and space is limited to 250 participants.

View the Official Invitation Letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office of Southern WV
at http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/training/rx%20summit%20invite_20110210114954.pdf.

Online Registration is available at https://spreadsheets0.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHNGZ3FUSzFmdDR5V3gtR0JGUTBSeEE6MA.

Event Contact
Deanna Eder (304) 345-2200

February Health Observances

• AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
• American Heart Month
• International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
• National Children’s Dental Health Month
• National Wise Health Consumer Month
• Give Kids A Smile Day (Feb 4)
• National Wear Red Day (Feb 4)
• Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb 7-14)
• Children of Alcoholics Week (Feb 13-19)
• National Donor Day (Feb 14)

Tips to Plan a National Health Observance Event

Question, Persuade, Refer for Suicide Prevention: February 17 Workshop

Help save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors through this innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention strategy. The WV Prevention Resource Center's monthly training session will teach participants to Question, Persuade and Refer a suicidal person to a professional who can help. The February 17 workshop runs from 9:30 am - 3 pm at the WVPRC in Dunbar. Up to 4.5 continuing education units will be available for addictions/prevention, counseling, nursing, and social work. Additional information and online registration is available at www.PrevNET.org.

Currently on Prevention WV: Poison Prevention

Dr. Elizabeth Scharman highlights services of the WV Poison Center, and Stephanie Anthony reviews WV's underage drinking issue and prevention initiatives.

Beyond New Year's Resolutions: Jan 18 Workshop

The WV Prevention Resource Center's monthly training series continues this month with Beyond New Year’s Resolutions: Staying on a Path to Wellness in 2011. The January 18th workshop will address healthful eating, stress reduction, and daily fitness tips for you and your clients. CEUs will be available. Join us at the WVPRC in Dunbar Jan 18 from 10 am to 2:30 pm to start the New Year right. Additional information and online registration is available at www.PrevNET.org.

January Health Observances

Cervical Health Awareness Month
Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Radon Action Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
National Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 4-10)

Source: www.healthfinder.gov