DOLE agency to develop online course on drug abuse prevention in workplace

The Occupational Safety & Health Center, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, is developing an online course on drug-free workplace to enable more to enable more workers to access information on the prevention and control of drug abuse.

The on-line version of the Appreciation Course on Drug-Free Workplace is similar to the three-hour classroom training on the same course, and aims to respond to drug abuse problems experienced in various industries. The course also deals on how to implement the workplace provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a news release, OSHC Executive Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco said that in 2003, DOLE issued the guidelines for a drug-free workplace which contained provisions for education, training, drug testing program for officers and employees, treatment, rehabilitation and referral, monitoring and evaluation as well as roles, rights and responsibilities of the workers and management.

Since then, the OSHC has been conducting trainings to teach the participants on the salient features of RA 9165 and its implementing rules and regulations.

The Appreciation Course on drug-free workplace also helps the participants to develop company policies and programs on drug-free workplace.

It also teaches them the adverse effects of abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on the person, workplace, family and the community, and preventive measures against drug abuse.

The online course is a collaboration of the OSHC, Dangerous Drugs Board and the Family Wellness Center Foundation, Inc. - PIA — ARA