The U.S. Senate has confirmed Sara Bailey as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, a role that oversees federal efforts to reduce drug deaths and impairment across workplaces and roadways.
The National Safety Council said it will continue working with Bailey’s office on drug overdose prevention, driver impairment and cannabis rescheduling, according to NSC CEO Lorraine Martin.
Workplace overdose deaths
More than 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with most involving opioids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdoses now account for 10 per cent of all workplace deaths.
The odds of dying by opioid overdose in the United States are higher than from gun violence, vehicle crashes or suicide, according to NSC data.
Past collaboration
NSC and the Office of National Drug Control Policy have worked together on workplace mental health and substance use programs. The organizations have encouraged employers to become Recovery Ready Workplaces and expanded access to opioid overdose reversal medication.
NSC supports reducing overdose deaths through research, employer resources, policy advocacy and education programs.
Impaired driving concerns
Impaired driving contributes to thousands of deaths on U.S. roads each year. NSC leads the Road to Zero Coalition, which aims to eliminate roadway fatalities by 2050.
Cannabis rescheduling
Bailey takes office following President Donald Trump’s executive order to speed up the process of rescheduling cannabis. The order directs federal agencies to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug.
NSC said reclassifying cannabis would remove barriers to safety research but warned the change must include measures to prevent deaths and injuries from impairment.
