Help Prevent Workplace Drug Use

Research shows that 75 percent of current illegal drug users and 79 percent of heavy alcohol users are employed—with many of them admitting to using illegal drugs or alcohol before or during work hours. Join the nationwide effort to prevent workplace drug use by participating in National Drug Free Work Week, held Oct. 19-25, 2009.

Held annually in October, Drug-Free Work Week is a public awareness campaign that highlights the dangers of workplace drug use and the benefits of drug-free workplace programs, and encourages workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help. Drug-Free Work Week is an outcome of DOL's Drug-Free Workplace Alliance, a cooperative agreement focused on improving safety and health in the construction industry through drug-free workplace programs.

DOL recommends a number of activities that community coalitions and other prevention organizations can do for Drug Free Work Week. For example, coalitions can conduct a seminar for local employers about the dangers of drug and alcohol use in the workplace and the benefits of drug free workplace programs.

In addition, the Leadership To Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation has developed a webinar and toolkit to help states evaluate and enhance their drug free workplace programs, and to educate the community about this issue. The webinar will be held Oct 20, 2009, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm EST.

The toolkit, entitled "WORKING to Prevent Underage Drinking: Workplace is the Key," will include an analysis of all the states' laws as they relate to employment testing and employment education, and a discussion guide on drug free workplace programs. It also includes a 4-part PowerPoint educational module that businesses can present to their employees on childhood drinking. Other parts of the toolkit include a piece called "Why Invest" that explains why employers should respond to the underage drinking epidemic outlined in the 2007 US Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.

For more information about this webinar, visit: www.alcoholfreechildren.org/node/279.