LETTER: Fight against opioids boosts manufacturers

The Indiana Manufacturers Association was founded in 1901 to advocate policies that will help Indiana’s largest economic and employment sector, manufacturing. The biggest issue impacting Indiana manufacturers is the lack of available workers. It is evident that the opioid epidemic is pushing a record number of Hoosiers to the sidelines of society and out of the workforce.

One in four job applicants are failing drug tests, which means a large population of people are unable to work—leaving employers scrambling to fill positions needed to keep their businesses running. A recent study published by the Indiana Business Review estimates that the gross state product loss to the Indiana economy arising from opiates misuse is measured at $1.5 billion per year.

In Indiana a lot has been done to fight this opioid epidemic and additional efforts are underway. Recently U.S. Sen. Todd Young through his work on the Senate HELP Committee helped to unanimously advance bipartisan legislation to establish certified Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers in the areas most affected by this public health crisis. The House also earlier this year supported legislation for the centers.

These centers will ensure that patients are able to access all three FDA-approved treatments of opioid dependence. It is rare today that all three treatment options are available to patients in one provider setting. In addition, a full range of addiction services including detoxification, relapse prevention and counseling will be provided at the centers.

This means that critical support will be more accessible to help people regain their health and maintain stable employment. Together we are fighting this horrible epidemic to save the lives of Hoosiers, and to ensure a healthy, prosperous future for all.

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Brian Burton, president and CEO
Indiana Manufacturers Association