As of Thursday, August 10, 2017, President Trump stated that the opioid crisis is a national emergency. Trump also established a panel to evaluate crisis management options, who promptly related current opioid use, with 100 Americans dying each day from opioid overdoses, to the tragic events of 9/11. The issue of drug abuse, drug trafficking and drug overdose is not going away. Increasingly, Professional Security Guards are being confronted with this potentially explosive issue.
In all cases, the decision was prompted by continued increases in opioid-related deaths, along with increasing costs of the only drug that can reverse an overdose condition, naloxone. The goal of issuing the state of emergency has been to obtain access to financial resources that are reserved for emergency situations.
Drug and alcohol abuse has become a mainstay issue nationwide that Security Guard Personnel may face as frequently as on a daily basis. Because drug-related issues are so frequently linked to violence, it has also led to a rise in the number of Security Personnel choosing to apply for Security Guard liability insurance and security company insurance as an extra protective precaution. No matter where you work, widespread drug activity virtually ensures you will encounter this issue at some point at your worksite.
For example, in Oklahoma City, OK, a active duty Security Guard identified what appeared to be a drug deal in progress at his post at the Metro Waffle House very early one morning. He contacted the local police immediately. A unit was dispatched and two arrests were made. Because the Security Guard knew what he was looking at, he was able to aid police in arresting two repeat drug offenders.
If you work as a Private Security Guard, you can’t count on state regulations to ensure you are adequately trained and prepared for drug violence at your worksite, it will be your full responsibility to ensure you are trained in safety procedures for addressing drug violence. If you work for a security company, your employer may be willing to fund drug violence-related continuing education and training. Some cities or states may also have extra funding set aside for Security Guard training, although the availability and amount of grant funding can vary greatly from year to year.
Eldorado Insurance Agency
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