Alcohol Policy Update

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Alcohol Policy Network
Feel free to copy & distribute
Vol. 6 March/April 1997

Policies At Work

Workplace substance abuse policy - a set of principles, guidelines and rules that governs the job-related behaviour of directors, employers, employees, contractors, agents and others with regard to the use, misuse and abuse of psychoactive chemicals including alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs.

Absenteeism; accidents on and off the job; errors in production or service delivery; conflicts among co-workers, low morale. All problems associated with alcohol and other drugs; all estimated to cost Ontario workplaces $1.6 billion a year (Shain, 1996). To prevent and manage such problems, progressive companies are answering the call for more widespread use of workplace substance abuse policies (SAPs).

To be effective, such policies must be based on a solid understanding of substance misuse and its impact on the workplace. While problem drinkers account for a disproportionately large fraction of alcohol-related mishaps, moderate drinkers account for an even larger fraction simply because their numbers are greater. For instance, five excessive drinkers may have five "accidents" over a two year period while 20 moderate drinkers may have 10 over the same period. Although the injury rate for moderate drinkers is lower, their greater numbers account for a greater absolute number of injuries — a phenomenon sometimes called the "prevention paradox" (Kreitman, 1986).

It makes sense, therefore to direct SAPs at the whole workforce, not only heavy users of alcohol and other substances. It also makes sense to frame such policies with prevention in mind. Alcohol and other drug use is influenced by individual and environmental factors. For example, employees who have too much to do in too short a time and little say over how their work is organized are known to be at higher risk of anxiety, depression and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, employees under stress at home and work are at greater risk of substance abuse (Shain, 1996).

Substance abuse policies should strive to reduce all factors in the work environment that are known to influence employee health and well-being. In other words, SAPs are only complete when placed within the supportive sphere of a healthy workplace policy. Such policies view work as a health issue for good or for ill, and strive to conserve human resources wherever possible. They acknowledge that health practices are interdependent and reinforce each other (eg., drinking, smoking, exercising, eating, sleeping) and outline the organization's approach to the prevention and management of substance abuse and other health-related problems. In short, they help employees stay well, get well or get better.

Organizations that care about their employees — and the bottom line — are investing in initiatives ranging from counselling programs, to fitness instruction, to flextime and job-sharing, to substance abuse prevention policies. One such organization is the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Spurred by the Niagara Public Health Department, the municipality is developing a Corporate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy combining education, healthy policy and environmental supports. A committee representing employee/union groups, the employee assistance program, management and a community treatment facility is leading the process. According to Health Promoter, Donna Basler, the group is currently at the policy development stage and will soon be planning employee education/awareness sessions.

For information about the Niagara initiative contact Donna Basler, 905-688-3762. More info on workplace substance abuse policies is available on APOLNET.

SAP Specifics

Workplace substance abuse policies (SAPs) generally serve four goals:

• increase productivity
• reduce liability risks
• reduce safety risks
• improve employee health.

Key policy components include:

• expectations regarding alcohol and other substance use in the workplace
• preventive education
• disciplinary measures for infractions
• assistance for employees at risk or already experiencing problems
• communications procedures to ensure everyone understands the purpose, content and implications of the policy
• training for managers and supervisors
• ongoing monitoring and periodic evaluation.

A workplace may be defined as a site where consumption of alcohol and other drugs takes place and/or where the negative consequences of consumption, either at work or away from work, are felt.

For more information, contact Robert Simpson at Homewood Health Services, (519) 824-1762 ext. 427 or Dr. Martin Shain at ARF, (416) 595-6910.

Sources: Martin Shain. Elements of a policy on substance abuse in the workplace. Toronto: ARF, April 1997, 2nd Draft; Martin Shain. (1996) "Work, employment and mental health: implications for quality of life." In R. Renwick et al. (eds) Quality of Life in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Ca.; N. Kreitman. (1986) "Alcohol consumption and the prevention paradox." Br. J. Addictions, 81: 353-363; Priorities: developments in alcohol policy in Ontario. Toronto: Alcohol Policy Network, OPHA, 1996.

Workplace Drug Testing: the Imperial Oil Case

"It would have been harder for me to admit I had a problem and get help with this policy in place. It forces people with problems underground. It's harder to come clean."
>— Marty Entrop, London Free Press, August 17, 1995

Many are familiar with the case of an Imperial Oil worker who was removed from his safety-sensitive job because he admitted to a past drinking problem.

A drug and alcohol policy introduced at Imperial Oil in 1991 required workers in safety-sensitive positions to disclose past or present substance abuse and to comply with stringent drug testing and rehabilitation requirements. Soon after Marty Entrop admitted to his drinking history, he was demoted, although his pay rate was protected. In order to regain his old job, he was forced to undergo testing at a U.S. addictions treatment centre. After he returned to his former position, he was required to submit to random breathalyser tests, provide urine samples, and have his performance appraised quarterly — all after seven years of sobriety.

In October 1995, an Ontario Human Rights Commission board of inquiry awarded Mr. Entrop $20,000 on the basis that he had been discriminated against due to handicap. In this case, the Commission interpreted "handicap" to include drug or alcohol dependence. The company is now revising its policy to ensure that it targets not only workers with identified substance abuse problems but also those who may be equally impaired due to flu, lack of sleep, depression, life changes, etc.

The Entrop case reflects a growing trend among North American companies to test employees for alcohol and other drugs — and the pitfalls in adopting a punitive approach. On one hand, corporations with substance abuse policies and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) may be less likely to be sued over alcohol-related incidents. On the other, employers must take care to respect employee rights and dignity by basing such policies on solid health promotion principles — principles that underline prevention, education and supportive rehabilitation.

More information on the Entrop case and the pitfalls of workplace drug testing is posted on APOLNET at www.apolnet.org. Documents to include a summary of Factors related to workplace injuries: is drug testing the right approach? by ARF researcher Dr. Scott MacDonald and a draft paper on healthy workplace policies, a longer version of this month's lead article, by Dr. Martin Shain. We will also include Homewood Health Services' workplace substance abuse policy guide and model policy, and hotlinks to WorkNET,the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse's excellent web site on workplace substance abuse issues, among others. If you would like to post relevant materials, please e-mail us at apn@opha.on.ca.

2 for the price of 1!

"Excellent resource ... comprehensive, thorough ... highlighted statistics and other info ... easily and quickly accessible."
—Priorities evaluation form

Active in the substance abuse field? Why not get a copy of APN's Priorities, developments in alcohol policy in Ontario? For a limited time only, those who order this new resource will receive a free copy of the Addiction Research Foundation's Drugs in Ontario. Both are ideal for use as:

• teaching aids for educators and health promoters
• orientation guides for new staff, board and volunteers
• reference for front-line workers and community groups
• resources for policy change.

Alcohol Policy Round Up

Got any local alcohol policy news you'd like to share? E-mail, fax or mail us the info and we'll get the word out."

ARF to be amalgamated

On March 6, the Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) released its report on the restructuring of health services in the Metro Toronto area. Among its recommendations was that ARF, Ontario's primary addictions agency, be amalgamated with The Donwood Institute, the Clarke Institute and Queen Street Mental Health Centre to form the Addiction and Mental Health Services Corporation. This agency, to be in place by September 30, 1997, is mandated to "fulfill a provincial role in addiction and mental health research, education and policy development." An HRSC-appointed facilitator will work with the four organizations on a merger plan to be completed by the end of July. A separate agency, the Metro Toronto Addictions and Mental Health Agency, will be established by the end of October to develop an integrated health care delivery system and make funding decisions within the provincial government's "policy and fiscal framework." The budgets of the four organizations, plus the monies allocated to community mental health in Metro, will be allocated to this agency effective November 1. It is unclear at this time what impact these changes will have on ARF and, in particular on its local program delivery capacity. However, in a draft notice to the Board of the new Corporation, the HSRC designates as priorities addiction research, education and policy development and requests that board members submit a plan by the end of October on ways to preserve and strengthen these roles. For more info or to make a submission by the extended April 18 deadline, contact your local ARF office or call Ruth Lewkowicz at HSRC, 416-327-5504. Info will also be available under Hot Issues on APOLNET.

Mandatory core programs reviewed

The Public Health Branch is coordinating a major review of the mandatory programs offered by local public health departments across the province. The draft core programs, circulated to various groups across the province for feedback by April 4, excludes most references to substance abuse prevention. A second draft will be circulated in May. For more info contact Bani Bawa, Ministry of Health, 416-327-7395. Sample responses will be made available on APOLNET. To post your response, e-mail WordPerfect or ASCII document to apn@opha.on.ca.

Vote on u-brew report deferred

On April 2, the City of Toronto Board of Health received deputations on an MOH report on u-brews/u-vints. The report recommends that u-brew facilities be licensed and regulated under the Liquor Licence Act. It also recommends that the province increase the volume tax on u-brew beer and wine over a three year period to bring the consumer cost of these products up to 60% of the cost of commercially produced and retailed beer and wine. Similar levies are recommended for home-made beer and wine kits. The report also calls for coordinated federal/provincial tracking of brew-on-premise, home production and illegal activity to more accurately determine population consumption levels. The City of Toronto Board of Health will continue to hear deputations on the report at its meeting on May 21. To make a presentation/submission, contact Board Administrator Frances Pritchard, 416-392-7025, Fax: 416-392-1879. For background info check out APOLNET.

Snowmobile project underway

Nearly three quarters of all snowmobile deaths in Ontario are alcohol-related and while alcohol tends to be prominent at fundraising and other functions, most snowmobile clubs have no policies on its use. To address the gap, ARF is working with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Transportation on draft guidelines for alcohol service policies and server training standards. The guidelines, along with a video and manual, will be launched at the OFSC annual meeting in the fall. For more info contact Brian Mitchell at ARF (705-944-8924) or Reggie Caverson, Project Manager, ARF (705-675-1195).

Residents' rights resolution passes

On March 24, Toronto City Council passed a resolution calling on the LLBO to consider the potential impact of new licensed establishments on communities. The resolution reinforces the right of community members to a safe and peaceful neighbourhood. For more info call Simone Cusenza, 416-537-4540.

News & Views

Conferences & Workshops

The Health Communication Unit will be hosting the 7th Annual Health Communication Conference in Toronto on April 24-25. $100. For more info call 416-978-0522.

The Scarborough Special Committee on Drug Abuse will be hosting a community action conference on May 9-10 at the Quality Inn in Scarborough. The agenda includes workshops on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Creating Safer Bars, Ethnocultural Projects, Prevention Strategies, Substance Abuse and Street Involved Youth, and a plenary on youth and violence. Fees range from $10 to $50. For more info call the Scarborough Health Department, 416-396-7452.

On June 4, the Safe and Sober Driving Coalition for the Region of Peel will be holding a day-long seminar on alcohol liability targeted to licensed establishments, SOP event holders and community groups in the region. The day will feature presentations by alcohol liability expert Professor Robert Solomon, Peel Police, OPP, LLBO, Against Drunk Driving and others. For more info, contact Edie Harris, St. John Ambulance, 905-274-0880.

Media advocacy expert Robert Reynolds, Director of the Washington-based National Centre for the Advancement of Prevention will be speaking to residents' groups at an evening forum on the impact of alcohol sales on neighbourhoods. The event, originally scheduled for March 20, will take place on Thursday, June 19, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue (at Queen Street West) in Toronto. Free. For more info, call Paula Neves, 416-367-3313 ext. 27.

Useful Resources

McMaster University-Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) have joined forces to offer two Internet courses: Introduction to Substance Use and Abuse and Introduction to Employee Assistance Programs. If demand warrants, the program will be expanded to include the remaining courses in its Addiction Studies Diploma and Certificates in EAP Issues. For more info contact Gary Roberts, 613-235-4048 ext. 225 or check out CCSA's web site, http://www.ccsa.ca/mcmaster.htm.

The Addiction Research Foundation has launched a new service to put health and social service professionals in touch with experts in drug interactions, addictions case management and the latest treatment methods. The Addiction Clinical Consultation Service is staffed by physicians, counsellors, pharmacists and nurses from across the province and can be reached at 1-888-720-ACCS. The service complements the multilingual Drug & Alcohol Information Line, 1-800-INFO-ARF, and the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment, 1-800-565-8603, both free Ontario-wide services.

Youth in the Regent Park Focus Media Arts Program have created a new 4-video series on drug and alcohol misuse. Written and produced by youth, the videos range in duration from 2.5 to 9.5 minutes. The series, appropriate for students 14 and under, includes: The Secret AND Boys and Girls: A film about smoking; Choices; The Adventures of Just Say No Man and Be Drug Free Woman; and Just Say No Man...Forever. $23 each. $73/set. To order call the Regent Park Focus Community Coalition, 416-863-1074.

The Research Group on Drug Use recently released its 1997 report on Drug Use in Metropolitan Toronto. For a free copy call Angie Bellanza, 416-392-0807.

Please direct any comments or suggestions regarding Alcohol Policy Update to:

Paula Neves 416-367-3313 ext. 27
E-mail: apn@opha.on.ca