COLUMBIA, Mo. – Substance use disorders affect workforces throughout Missouri. Addiction costs Missouri an estimated $34.5 million every day, or $12.6 billion a year.

Some businesses are adapting policies to support employees affected by substance use disorders and those in recovery. In the latest episode of “Show-Me MO Success,” the University of Missouri’s Business and Community Extension podcast, listeners hear how the Tower Rock Stone Co. in Ste. Genevieve has adapted to help both employees and the company.

Extension specialist Luke Dietterle interviews Ann McCauley and Bill Kraemer about Missouri’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative and how it helps address one of the state’s workforce challenges. The initiative empowers workplaces to support and retain employees in recovery. McCauley is the director of the Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Project and the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative. Kraemer is retired after 28 years of employment at Tower Rock Stone Co. and is former union president of the Laborers Local 830.

Tower Rock Stone Co. had a zero-tolerance policy like many places have had in the past, Kraemer said. “We don’t want to be in the past. We want to be in the future. Employees go out, get cleaned up and come back to work and retain their job. They retain all their training. The employer gets back somebody even better than what they lost.”

“What the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative did was to connect Bill’s company with formal training and technical assistance and support,” says McCauley.  “They were doing this in action, but they didn’t necessarily have the training on how to be a recovery ally.”

For more information on the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, visit www.RecoveryFriendlyMo.com.

MU Extension has programs to benefit Missourians throughout the state. This podcast features faculty members and their clients discussing the impact of these programs on communities and businesses in Missouri. Podcast listeners will hear how to reach out to MU Extension to access resources.

“Show-Me MO Success” is available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. Scan the QR code below or go to linktr.ee/BusinessAndCommunity to listen to ways you can improve your business and community with the help of MU Extension.

Contact:
Afshan Musani, Marketing Ambassador
University of Missouri Extension–Business and Community
913-215-4107, muextbusinessand1@missouri.edu