Drug overdoses are killing more people in Wisconsin than car accidents, state Attorney General Brad Schimel said. He said prescription painkillers are especially concerning.VIDEO: AG suggests employers test for prescription drugsSchimel is turning to the private sector to help lower the number of people who abuse prescription painkillers. He is going so far as to suggest employers include prescription drugs in their drug tests."Many businesses are testing for marijuana, cocaine and other street drugs. Prescription painkillers make a person much more dangerous to themselves and others in the workplace than some of those drugs," Schimel said.Last September, Schimel launched the Dose of Reality initiative to fight prescription drug abuse across the state.On Tuesday, he announced his new plans to incorporate businesses and companies in that fight.Schimel wants employees struggling with painkiller addiction to feel like they can get help at work.He also suggests that companies educate their employees about the dangers of abusing painkillers and which warning signs to look for.There are laws that limit how much an employer can address prescription drug use in the workplace.Schimel said companies should talk with their legal or human resources departments before doing anything new.

Drug overdoses are killing more people in Wisconsin than car accidents, state Attorney General Brad Schimel said.



He said prescription painkillers are especially concerning.



VIDEO: AG suggests employers test for prescription drugs



Schimel is turning to the private sector to help lower the number of people who abuse prescription painkillers. He is going so far as to suggest employers include prescription drugs in their drug tests.




"Many businesses are testing for marijuana, cocaine and other street drugs. Prescription painkillers make a person much more dangerous to themselves and others in the workplace than some of those drugs," Schimel said.



Last September, Schimel launched the Dose of Reality initiative to fight prescription drug abuse across the state.



On Tuesday, he announced his new plans to incorporate businesses and companies in that fight.



Schimel wants employees struggling with painkiller addiction to feel like they can get help at work.



He also suggests that companies educate their employees about the dangers of abusing painkillers and which warning signs to look for.



There are laws that limit how much an employer can address prescription drug use in the workplace.



Schimel said companies should talk with their legal or human resources departments before doing anything new.

