Dame Carol Black publishes review on links between work and addiction
The review shows how employment plays an important role in improving the wellbeing and self-worth of people with drug and alcohol addiction.
The report recommends further exploration into ways people addicted to drugs and alcohol can be helped to find work, and improved joined-up working between work and health services. It also looks at the role of employers in helping secure good employment opportunities for people who have struggled with addiction. Dame Carol also explored the effect of obesity on unemployment but found no clear link.
Professor Dame Carol Black said:
Our goal has been to find ways of overcoming the employment problems that people face when they are addicted to alcohol or drugs, or are obese. After a searching inquiry we are clear that a fresh approach is needed, one that brings together health, social, and employment agencies in new collaborative ways, personalised to the circumstances of each individual
Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt, said:
Your success in life shouldn’t be determined by the circumstances of your birth. We are committed to helping people break down the barriers they face and secure a good job where they can fulfil their potential.
We are very grateful to Dame Carol Black for her extensive work. Her findings support our plans to join up employment and health systems and as we proceed with this important work we will take Dame Carol’s findings into account.
Last month, the government launched the green paper Work, health and disability: improving lives which sets out plans to help those with health conditions, who are able to work, into employment.
The government will now carefully consider the findings of the review before responding in due course.
Read the independent review Drug and alcohol addiction, and obesity: effects on employment outcomes
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