The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, along with RiverMend Health Centers Augusta, Bluff Plantation, will host Third Thursday Business Builder at the Chamber office on Thursday, May 18 at 11:30 am. Dr. Duke Vinson, featured presenter, will discuss “Workplace Substance Abuse: Prevention, Detection and Treatment Options.”

Join the Augusta Metro Chamber and Bluff Plantation for a presentation on the importance of having an established Drug and Alcohol Workplace Policy to provide a safe, qualityoriented and productive work environment with consistent standards. Alcohol and drug use among employees and their family members can be an expensive problem for business and industry, with issues ranging from lost productivity, injuries and low employee morale, to cost increases in health care, liabilities and workers' compensation. Surveys show 70% of the estimated 14.8 million employed Americans use illegal drugs and 24% report drinking during the workday at least once in the past year.

Dr. Vinson will present best practices for prevention and detection, and treatment options available, and the Chamber will discuss the assistance programs and services available via Drugs Don’t Work, the official drug-free workplace services provider of the state of Georgia.

As Executive Director of Bluff Plantation, Duke Vinson, DBH, LPC, CCAADC, NCC, CCMHC, CCDP-D, CCS, SAP, leads all counseling, recovery and business administrative operations. A doctor of behavioral health, licensed professional counselor and certified clinical advanced alcohol drug counselor, Dr. Vinson also serves as Vice President of Operations at RiverMend Health Centers in Augusta.

Attendance is complimentary for Chamber members and $15 for prospective members.  Lunch is provided. Advanced registration is required at AugustaMetroChamber.com or by calling 706.821.1300. Deadline to register is Monday,