NSC Highlights Workplace Safety After Drug Policy Director Confirmation
National Safety Council highlights overdose prevention, impairment risks, and employer-led safety efforts after Senate confirms Sara Bailey as drug czar.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jan 07, 2026
The National Safety Council (NSC) said it looks forward to continued collaboration on workplace safety and substance use prevention following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Sara Bailey as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
In a statement issued Jan. 7, NSC President and CEO Lorraine Martin congratulated Bailey on her confirmation and emphasized shared priorities related to overdose prevention, impairment, and worker well-being.
NSC and ONDCP have worked together on initiatives affecting employers, including promoting mental health and substance use resources, encouraging adoption of Recovery Ready Workplace practices, and expanding access to opioid overdose reversal medication in occupational settings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with most involving opioids. NSC notes that overdoses account for approximately 10% of all workplace fatalities, underscoring the role employers can play in prevention through education, preparedness, and access to lifesaving interventions.
NSC said it supports efforts to reduce preventable overdose deaths through research, employer-focused guidance, policy advocacy, and training programs aimed at improving workplace health and safety.
Bailey assumes the ONDCP leadership role as federal officials continue reviewing cannabis policy. NSC has said that while changes to cannabis classification could support expanded safety research, any policy shifts should be paired with measures to address impairment risks that could affect workers and workplace safety.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.