Fayette County is the recipient of a $20,000 grant to promote drug-free workplaces, the Paint Valley ADAMH Board announced Wednesday.

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, which will host seminars on the subject for employers, joined the board in making the announcement.

The funds come from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and its Drug-Free Workforce Community Initiative.

Fayette County is one of 18 to share in the $360,000 distributed by the Ohio Department of Mental and Addiction Services, the Paint Valley ADAMH Board said. The grant provides access to the services of Working Partners, a consulting and training firm, to develop a community plan that works for employers and employees to address the economic threat of substance abuse in the workplace.

Penny Dehner, associate director of the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, said, “This initiative will allow the board and community partners to assist local employers in finding and retaining healthy and productive employees.”

The Drug-Free Workforce Community Initiative will bring together key stakeholders and employers to assess local challenges and resources and implement strategies to develop a job-ready workforce of drug-free individuals. Employers will be equipped with education, technical assistance and the tools needed to prevent and respond to workplace substance abuse.

Whitney Gentry, president of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are pleased to be asked to partner with Working Partners and Paint Valley ADAMH for this grant. Drug use is a serious problem and it affects every aspect of our community – including the economy. Our chamber members repeatedly share their struggles of trying to find people to fill job openings. The Working Partners grant will help us address the drug use issue in our community and help get people back to work for the betterment of themselves and the community as a whole.”

Other partners have been invited to participate in this initiative including the Fayette County Safety Council, Fayette County Commissioners, the Economic Development Office of Fayette County and the Economic Development Office of the City of Washington Court House, Ohio Means Jobs and leaders among the business community.