Improve Education, Job Training and Employment for People in Recovery
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Contents
Employability of Recovering Opioid Users-Slovenian Case Study
All of the following facts are from the Slovenian Case Study[1]
Opioid Substitution Treatment Programs(OSTP)
- OSTP is one of the main approaches in drug addiction treatment and harm reduction programs for opioid illicit drugs users.
- The main goals of OSTP are reducing drug use, improving personal and social functioning, and improving public health (eg, by diminishing the risk of HIV infection and hepatitis and by preventing and reducing drug-related mortality and criminal behavior)
Case Study Background Information
- 237 individuals enrolled in OSTP at the Center for Prevention and Treatment of Drug Addiction of the Community Health Center accuretly filled out a survey to participate in this case study.
- The average age of those participating was 27
- A sample of 100 Slovenian companies was randomly selected from the Slovenian Labor Inspectorate, and 66 of those companies responded to the survey for this case study.
- More information on the types of companies that participated can be found here.
Employee's Perception of Work
- The employment rate increased from 46.0% to 56.5% (P = 0.027) during short-term vists at OSTP.
- There were 103 (43.5%) unemployed participants.
- Analysis showed that unemployment was significantly higher in those who were longer in OSTP, who did not use OSTP medication/drugs regularly, who were involved in criminal acts, who did not feel capable of performing any type of job, and who did not feel a positive change in attitude toward working after entering the OSTP.
- Among 103 unemployed participants, 16 (15.5%) did not want to become employed and did not look for a job, 15 (14.6%) wanted to get a job but did not look for one, while 7 (6.8%) did not want to get a job but did look for one. The remaining 65 (63.1%) wanted to get a job and did look for one
- Of 60 participants, 26 (43.3%) responded that they would accept any type of job, 16 (26.7%) would accept only a well-enough paid job, 8 (13.3%) would accept only a job that would allow them to work independently, and 15 (25.0%) would accept only a job that would allow them sufficient creativity
- In this group of OSTP participants, 22 of 65 (33.8%) wanted a job because of their rehabilitation, 44 (67.7%) because of the financial independence, and 41 (63.1%) to get their lives in order.
Employee's Attitudes After OSTP:
- Twenty-six of 134 (19.4%) participants had a positive attitude change toward work and job after entering OSTP and believed that they were more concentrated; 24 (17.9%) believed that their attitude to work improved, 13 (9.7%) believed that their relationship with coworkers improved, and 14 (10.4%) believed that their relationship with their employer improved
- 30 of 134 (22.4%) believed that they were equally capable of doing their job, while 104 (77.6%) believed that they were more capable of doing their job than before entering OSTP.
- 100 of 134 (74.6%) were prepared to undergo drug testing to keep their jobs.
- 226 of 237 (95.4%) of participants reported that Slovenian society was not tolerant enough to provide employment for unemployed persons in OSTP or to enable them to keep their jobs. Also, 230 (97.0%) participants thought that it would be more difficult to a get new job if the employer knew that they were included in OSTP.
Employers Perception of Working With Recovering Opioid Users
- Only 4 (6.6%) out of 61 company employers or safety managers answered positively to the question if the presence of drugs and psychoactive substances had been perceived as a problem in their companies
- 50 (78.1%) of 64 respondents believed they lacked the expertise to recognize a person under the influence of illicit drugs or other psychoactive substances.
- According to employers’ answers, if job seekers had been treated for drug addiction in the past, their likelihood of getting a job would have been lower in 53 of 57 (93.0%) of cases; if they were taking part in OSTP at the time of job searching their chances would have been lower in 54 in 57 (94.7%) of cases; and if they were recreational drug users their chances would have been lower in 56/59 (94.9%) of cases
Conclusion of Case Study
- According to the survey, the unemployment rate substantially decreased after OSTP, while ability to work substantially increased.
- The perception about mentally demanding assignments, work at unfavorable hours, and forced pace of work represented lower burden for participants after entering the OSTP
- After analysis, unemployment was strongly related to duration of OSTP, regularity of the OSTP medication, involvement in criminal acts, perception of ability of performing a job, and perception of OSTP influence on OSTP patients’ attitude on the working process.
- Employer's attitudes toward workers and job seekers with drug problems were extremely negative, even if they were in treatment, taking part in OSTP, or were recreational drug users.
- Due to the low familiarity with the subject or perhaps negative experiences with it, many employers were very reluctant to accept employment applications of individuals who were or had been treated for addiction.
- Regarding complete rehabilitation of substance users, research confirmed that employment itself, especially full-time one, is an important factor that can help drug users and those in OSTP achieve successful rehabilitation since it gives greater social security and safety.
- Regular employment is an important motivation factor for the effectiveness of OSTP.
- ====The results of our study show that problem of unemployment in OSTP patients has not diminished over the last 10 years.====
The study was prepared as a joint study of Institute of Occupational Safety Ljubljana, Center for Treatment of Drug Addiction, Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, and Chair of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. It was performed at the Chair of Public Health, Ljubljana University Faculty of Medicine.[2]
Tools & Resources
TR - Improve Access to Jobs for People in Recovery
Scorecard Building
Potential Objective Details
Potential Measures and Data Sources
Potential Actions and Partners
Resources to Investigate
More RTI on Job Access for People in Recovery
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