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According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), employees of restaurants and hotels (the two major branches of the hospitality industry) have the highest rates of substance use out of the entire American workforce. Service occupations, such as those in the food and hospitality industries, had the second highest proportion of workers with substance use disorders — 15.6%. A substance use disorder doesn’t just affect employees themselves and their families; businesses lose enormous sums every year as a result of the issue in the form of higher health care costs, absenteeism and presenteeism (when employees are at work, but not fully productive).
Gary Mendell, a former hotelier and Chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts, founded the national nonprofit Shatterproof following his son Brian's death due to addiction. His purpose for founding Shatterproof was to improve the way that our healthcare system prevents and treats treatment quality, addressing the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorders, and advancing evidence-based policies.
Recognizing the connection between the hospitality industry and addiction, Mendell established the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award to unite and acknowledge hospitality executives who take an active role in ending the addiction crisis. The Award is presented each year at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). This year's recipient was Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt, who is the fifth recipient to receive the award. Hoplamazian has been an integral voice on the issue of addiction.
“Hyatt is proud to collaborate with Shatterproof as they lead the way in advocating for people with substance use disorders, their families and the communities this disease impacts," said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt.
More than 60 hospitality companies raised $2 million during the event to advance the important work Shatterproof is doing and to support Mendell.
"I continue to be inspired by the incredible support of the hotel industry,” said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “Substance use disorder is a largely preventable disease, and it is through the generous support and awareness efforts of the hospitality industry that we will be able to reduce stigma and increase the number of policy changes and treatment resources to end this crisis.”
