Canadian authorities initiate challenging dialog on substance use
The government has taken to educating employers.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, in partnership with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, has launched several free resources to raise awareness about substance use. The target audience for the online courses is employers in Canada, from whom authorities expect understanding and a willingness to educate.
There are several courses, but they all address different aspects of substance use in the workplace. Some raise awareness, others provide ready-made solutions to reduce harm, others talk about supporting well-being. Emphasis is also placed on removing stigma from the consumer and the importance of a safe work environment.
These resources will provide employers with information on what to do if such suspicions are raised about employees and how to reduce the harm caused by the substance use in the workplace.
Special guides have also been produced to provide an overview of the problem of substance use among tradespeople. They provide information on employers' responsibilities to combat stigmatization and strategies to deal with the phenomenon rather than its victims.
