By WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

The Tri-State Regional Consortium on Substance Abuse is hosting a conference May 3 titled “Addiction is bad for business.”

The goal of the conference is to equip business leaders in the tri-state region to be more aware of what drug abuse in the workplace looks like.

The Tri-State Regional Consortium is made up of The Counseling Center of Portsmouth, Pathways Inc. (Kentucky), Family Guidance Center (Ohio), and Prestera Center (West Virginia).

“Participants of the conference will receive information and resources allowing them to be more aware of what drug abuse in the workplace looks like, how it can affect their productivity, safe environments and their bottom line,” said Susan McComas, director of Resource Development for The Counseling Center. “This is also an opportunity to learn more about the legal aspects of a drug-free workplace policy and other workplace issues.”

She said the event will have sessions on topics such as drug-free workplace policy, drug testing, legal issues, substance abuse prevention and treatment resources, among others.

The event’s keynote speaker will be Robert Stutman, a 25-year veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration, in charge of the New York Office. He is a drug consultant for PBS and CBS and author of “Dead on Delivery,” a best-selling autobiography made in to a Showtime movie.

“Participants of the conference will leave with new tools to improve or build their drug-free safety workplace program. They will learn about new resources to start or enhance their current drug-free safety workplace program,” McComas said.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Ashland Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Ashland, Ky.

For more information or to register for the event, contact Beverly Flowers at The Counseling Center at 740-354-3829 or beverly@thecounselingcenter.org.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.