NCSA seeking to bring awareness about drug use in the workplace

The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) is focusing on spreading awareness about drug use in the workplace this month and provide assistance for both employers and employees where necessary.

The NCSA’s deputy manager Troy Wickham said that while research has not been conducted locally to find out the extent of drug use in workplaces, statistics garnered internationally showed a direct link between substance abuse and poor performance on the job as well as increased absenteeism and poor relationships among employees and employers.

He said this was why the Council themed this year’s Drug Awareness Month, celebrated this month, Our Workplace, Our Future: Our Future: Our Workplace. 

“We at the Council, in an attempt to be proactive, will take our programming into the workplace for the next few months, and we will start with drug awareness month,” he said, adding that the NCSA was equipped to conduct rapid assessments to determine whether there was substance abuse or drug use in the workplace and to assist with developing workplace drug policies.

Wickham also indicated that the Council will be seeking to encourage organisations to become Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW) to encourage a healthy, safe and productive work environment where employers, employees and the wider community can work together for positive change and remove barriers for those impacted by substance use and abuse. 

The NCSA official explained that RFW’s can lead to improved employee morale, engagement and productivity, and reduce absenteeism, accidents, downtime and turnover.

“And this will encourage staff and employers to embrace persons and help them reintegrate back into the workforce to become productive citizens. We know that as the onset of COVID and stressors, persons tend to lean on substances and this can impact their productivity in the workplace. We offer counselling free of charge,” he said.

Wickham disclosed that the NCSA will be engaging several organisations, including the Small Business Association and the Barbados Employers Confederation, and hosting a series of radio shows and competitions during Drug Awareness Month. 

A panel discussion focusing on the difference between recreational and medicinal cannabis, will also be held on January 18 at the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW).

“During the month as well, we will be engaging the public, letting the public know the services we offer here at the Council, which include assisting workplaces with drug policies and refining and retooling the staff as well as . . . how to handle and manage persons who are directly or indirectly impacted by substance use and abuse,” he said.