Battle Creek Chamber to Host Opioid Crisis Gathering

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce will host “Sharing Solutions Michigan: Opioids and the Workforce.” on July 30th at Kellogg Auditorium.   The even is part of the Chamber Foundation’s Sharing Solutions initiative and will have local business and community leaders to sharing their work helping combat the opioid crisis in Michigan.
“In Michigan, like many other places in the United States, opioids continue to harm our workers, neighbors, and families,” said President Kara Beer, of Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. “As business leaders, we have an obligation to our community to implement effective solutions. This tour gives all of us the opportunity to share insights to empower more businesses to join the fight against opioid misuse.”

Beer, a guest on the 95.3 WBCK Morning Show with Tim Collins, noted that Calhoun County is one of the higher-ranked in the state for opioid abuse.  "We want to make sure that we're able to talk about this and have a thoughtful dialog with, not only national professionals, but also local professionals and resources in the area. It's an opportunity to talk about what's working and what's not working in our community."

Substance use disorder affects nearly 21 million Americans nationwide, with nearly 75 percent of impacted individuals in the workforce. The estimated yearly economic impact of this growing trend is over $442 billion dollars.
The Sharing Solutions initiative launched in March with an online resource hub and the announcement of a National Tour. Previous events have been held in Abingdon, Virginia and Columbus, Ohio. The next stop on the tour is scheduled for August 7th in Erie, PA, with several additional stops scheduled for West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts later this year.
The Sharing Solutions resource hub is designed to empower businesses to help combat the opioid crisis. It offers employer and employee resources and showcases innovative workplace solutions to address the opioid crisis. Resources include education and prevention techniques, how to create a drug free workplace, how to work with benefit providers, and more. This site also offers the ability to suggest a resource or story you have found helpful.

• Who:  The entire community, with the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce and  the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• What:  Sharing Solutions Michigan: Opioids and the Workforce.
• Where: W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, 50 W Van Buren St, Battle Creek, MI 49017
• When: Tuesday July 30th, 8:30am-10:30am.
• Why: To work together to find solutions to America's opioid crisis. This tour gives the entire community a chance to share insights  and to empower more businesses to join the fight against opioid misuse.
• Cost: FREE
• Register by clicking here.