A Workshop That Has Opened My Eyes
This is day 5 of the 30 Days of Gratitude writing challenge and today I am going to share my memorable experience of taking part in a workshop that talked about drug abuse.
Drug-free Workplace Assessment Team Training and Workshop
Two years ago, I was lucky to be chosen as part of the Drug-Free Workplace Assessment Team for the ESL institution I used to work for.
Mandatorily, companies employing 10 or more employees must choose their workers from human resources to be members of the assessment team.
The assessment team would be the group of people working in a company who are assigned to assess the company’s applicants and employees if they are showing symptoms of drug addiction.
So I, being the recruitment chief at that time, our human resource manager, and the manager of remote online teachers were chosen to represent our institution and attend a two-day workshop about the importance of having a drug-free workplace.
At first, I thought it was going to be a typical seminar. I imagined it would be boring and nothing interesting because I already knew what drug abuse is and how dangerous it is. Little did I know that this would be the most worthwhile and well-spent two-day workshop so far.
The main objectives of this workshop are:
- To educate each company’s assessment team on the prevalent use and abuse of drugs in the Philippines;
- To help the Philippine government in its war against drugs by establishing a drug-free workplace;
- To be able to create a company's own Drug-free Workplace Policy and Program;
- To strongly encourage employees to work hard without the use of illegal drugs.
How big is the drug problem in the Philippines?
I honestly did not know. I just did not care before.
According to the country’s Dangerous Drug Board, the estimated number of illegal drug users in the Philippines has declined from 4 million in 2016 to 1.67 million in 2019. Apparently, there is a downtrend of more than 50% in just three years.
“I grieve for the Filipinos who are victims of drugs. It pains me because (it’s) a waste of life,” — President Rodrigo Duterte, 2020
Most of them are aged 20 to 29 years old.
So young to be wasting money on what they call temporary happiness.
Shockingly, they are mostly family men and…EMPLOYED.
I cannot imagine what kind of environment their own children are experiencing growing up with a drug addict parent, and worst, what kind of future will they have if the addiction does not stop?
How important is a drug-free workplace?
If drug use and abuse were hampered at the very beginning in the workplace, detrimental effects such as lower productivity, poor decision making, increased accidents, and reduced team effort in the workplace would be prevented.
To be successful in this movement, a mandatory drug test shall be required as a prerequisite for employment. Moreover, there should be random drug testing at any time set by the company’s assessment team.
Companies should also increase the awareness and education of their officers and employees on the adverse effects of dangerous drugs through continuous advocacy, education, and training programs or activities. They are the first to encourage employees not to rely on using drugs for whatever benefit they think they can get from doing so.
Motivational programs and activities in the workplace are effective ways to encourage all employees to live a healthy lifestyle while at work.
When I worked as a Market Researcher for an American survey company, we had this quarterly team-building activity wherein we went to a beach resort or the mountains, played sports, did recreational activities, and played fun games.
There were also yearly lifestyle assessment programs on health nutrition, weight management, and stress management which were and still are the most common issues market researchers and call centers struggle from due to working on the graveyard shift.
The City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC)
Thankfully, the City anti-drug abuse Council together with the Department of Labor and Employment thrives to spread awareness of the serious damages and ill effects of abusing drugs such as extreme weight loss, violent behavior, and anxiety to name a few.
Because of their hard work on increasing awareness through an education campaign and coordination with other government agencies and private companies, somehow a downtrend of drug use can be seen since 2016.
To conclude
Through this workshop organized by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, I realize that Filipinos should be more participative and disciplined citizens first for our country to be economically and socially advanced.
I am grateful to be allowed to attend this workshop for it has opened my eyes that we are capable of extending our helping hands than just carry out what is on our job description.
Yes, a country can't be drug-free. 1.67 million Filipinos are still addicted to illegal drugs which is more reason why supporting organizations that work on education campaigns is fundamental and should be strongly encouraged.
Thank you for reading and letting me share my experience.
References:
https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/departments/social-services/cmo-sports-cadac/
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