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Every single day of 2017, five Hoosiers died of an overdose, primarily involving opioids—that’s a record number, and an immense human tragedy. It’s an economic calamity, as well. Indiana University business researchers estimate that, over the past 15 years, the state has endured $43.3 billion in economic damages because of opioid misuse.
Like all other states, Indiana is struggling to contain this epidemic. But Indiana’s business community is positioned to bring about positive change. Business leaders can advocate for compassionate policy changes, as well as for improvements in commercial and public insurance that will help more people access effective treatment.
As physicians, we approach the issue by first posing a simple question—is substance-use disorder a criminal problem, or a medical and mental health dilemma? We would suggest that, while we can’t ignore criminal behavior, we’ll never get a handle on this problem until we recognize addiction as the chronic disease it is. In fact, some of the most effective criminal justice approaches to opioid use feature not just punishment but also aggressive treatment.
Regarding opioid addiction, medication-assisted treatment is the standard of care; without medication, the chances for a favorable outcome are 10 percent or less. The success rate improves dramatically when medication-assisted treatment is combined with behavioral therapy, support groups and other tools that help the patient deal with the social and psychological aspects of the addiction.
This kind of approach holds great promise, but for many people it’s out of reach. We need more medical and behavioral health professionals to be trained and credentialed for addiction treatment, but we also need insurance coverage that makes it affordable for patients to get both the counseling and medication-assisted treatment they need. In recent years, too many people have had the door slammed in their face when they were ready and desperate for treatment.
Indiana’s business leaders must recognize that substance-use disorder affects their workforce and maybe even some of their best employees. What do you do when you discover an employee with an addiction problem? Many companies terminate that employee. But that approach does nothing to help the person with the problem and leaves you without a valuable worker. In this time of labor shortages, that’s not an attractive option.
Belden Inc., in Richmond, which has seen positions go unfilled because of failed drug tests, offers a revolutionary alternative called Pathways to Employment. Potential incoming Belden employees who can’t be hired because of a failed drug test get a chance to take part in a personalized drug rehabilitation program. If they complete the rehab program successfully and commit to staying substance-free, they can land a job at Belden. The company also practices compassion for existing employees with addiction problems, offering them a regimen that addresses their addiction and gives them a path back to work.
Unfortunately, Indiana is among the 10 worst states when it comes to drug and addiction issues. It’s up to us—medical professionals, business leaders, policymakers—to engineer a healthier future. We’re ready to lead the way with revolutionary thinking, right here in Indiana.•
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Kelly practices addiction medicine at Community Health Network. Platz is a family physician with Community, with expertise in addiction treatment.
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