Labor supply and workplace

The opioid epidemic has had far-reaching consequences, including on the workforce. Opioid addiction affects labor supply due to decreased labor force participation and reduced work hours for employees. At the same time, employers are looking to foster supportive work environments for employees recovering from substance use disorder (SUD), which may require changing business processes.

On April 18, the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy will welcome Dr Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policyand Julie Wernau of The Wall Street Journal for a fireside chat about the impact of the opioid epidemic on the workforce and how workplaces can become conducive to recovery.

The fireside chat will be followed by a panel discussion of policies, programs and strategies that can support the recovery of the SOUTH and foster continued labor market participation for those in recovery. The panel will include Dr. Tisamarie Sherry (US Department of Health and Human Services), Kyle Zimmer (International Union of Operating Engineers), Dana Lariviere (Chameleon Group) and will be moderated by Richard Frank (Brookings).

Viewers submitted questions via email[email protected]or by tweeting at @BrookingsEcon using the hashtag #RecoveryFriendly .