Karen Belanger

Promoting Drug Free Workplaces

Karen Belanger - 12 November 2019
Diverse group of office workers

Good morning! 

Just a few weeks ago, we observed Drug Free Work Week in the U.S. It was originally founded to improve safety and health in the construction industry through drug-free workplace programs. The first Drug Free Work Week was observed in 2006, and in subsequent years, more and more organizations—representing a range of industries—also rallied behind the effort, helping to firmly establish it as an annual opportunity to reinforce to employers and employees alike that “working drug free works.

Today, employers and stakeholders for safe and healthy workplaces, promote this annual observance. Together, we spread the message to encourage individual workplaces to take this opportunity to educate and strengthen their safe and healthy work environments—reflecting the true spirit of Drug Free Work Week.

  1. When and how do you promote drug free workplace programs in your country or in your workplace? 
  2. If you haven’t advocated for drug free workplace programs in the past, what are your ideas to get started?