Community members and business professionals are invited to attend an informational session on “Managing Current Business Risks Associated with Substance Abuse” on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 a.m. in the Champaign County Community Center auditorium in Urbana. This program is presented by the Champaign County Safety Council, a program sponsored by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce in association with the Bureau of Workers Compensation Division of Safety & Hygiene.

Karen Pierce, Managing Director of Policy Development & Training for Working Partners®, a training and consulting firm specializing in helping workplaces minimize the risks associated with substance abuse, will help companies and employers understand the newest risks associated with substance abuse and how to manage them. These risks – marijuana legalization, prescription drug abuse and the growing heroin epidemic, and the increasing number of job applicants and employees who are failing drug tests – pose risks to employers, employees, and overall safety in the workplace.

After examining the current drug trends, attendees will learn how their companies can best respond to risks, hear best practices to reduce or eliminate issues, and discover resources through the many drug-free workplace initiatives occurring throughout Ohio.

The cost to attend this session is $10 per person for Champaign County Chamber of Commerce members or employees of Chamber members. The public is invited to attend for $15 per person. Breakfast catered by In Good Taste Catering will be provided to registered attendees before the session begins. Those interested in attending should contact the Champaign County Chamber by calling 937-653-5764 or emailing [email protected] no later than Friday, Nov. 11.