Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2013
Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Prince George Citizen
Contact:  http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350
Author: Mark Nielsen

CONFERENCE KEYS ON ADDICTIONS AT WORK

With 70 per cent the generally accepted figure for the proportion of
people with addictions still able to hold down jobs, drugs and alcohol
in the workplace has become an "elephant in the room," say organizers
of an upcoming conference.

Judging by projected attendance, a significant number
agree.

Although not yet completely sold out, as many as 175 delegates are
expected to attend the conference, hosted by the B.C. Council on
Substance Abuse, when it's held April 11-12 at Westwood Mennonite
Brethren Church.

All 80 seats for a pre-conference workshop on the morning of April 11
are now full.

Established in 1991 through a partnership between business, labour and
the RCMP, the BCCSA advocates a four-pillar approach to the issue:
company policies and procedures; supervisory training; ongoing
awareness and education for management and employees; and providing
access to treatment.

"The ultimate goal is to establish workplaces where the culture has
changed so much that everyone knows what impairment is, they know that
you can't be impaired at work and they know that people who have
difficulties will be supported, " BCCSA facilitator Janet Tomayer said.

Substance abuse is about more than simply drugs and alcohol.
Recognizing and acknowledging the effects of prescription drugs, over
the counter medications and even plain tiredness and other troubles
are issues.

"It's not just drugs, it's fatigue," Tomayer said. "It's undiagnosed
diabetes and you're slurring your words and you're sweating and you're
staggering around dizzy and people think you're drunk but actually
you're having a sugar problem and you don't even know it."

Physician Ray Baker will kick off the conference at 1 p.m. on April
11. At the University of British Columbia's medical school, Baker
developed an acclaimed curriculum for addiction medicine and served as
a consultant to the Railway Association of Canada.

He will talk about the prevalence of addiction and coinciding mental
health issues.

Prince George labour lawyer Bobby Deepak will follow with a
presentation on the latest in court ruling and arbitrators decisions
on addictions and the workplace.

Speakers on April 12 begin with presentations from the RCMP and a
Prince George pharmacist on the latest trends in drug use and
recognizing the symptoms. Further speakers include recovered addict
and former Baldy Hughes executive director Marshall Smith, treatment
and recovery consultant Neal Burger and physician Michael O'Malley,
who will speak about returning to work and aftercare for recovering
substance abusers.

More information can be found at www.workdrugfreebc.com .
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D