Substance Abuse an Increasing Problem in Trinidad and Tobago

According to the National Secondary Schools Survey of 2002, 73% of students have tried alcohol in their lifetime, half in their last year at school, and 26% of secondary school students consumed alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey. These statistics were revealed by The Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Social Development at the Substance Abuse: Detection, Early Intervention and Creation of a Drug Free Workplace Workshop. The workshop, hosted by the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business on July 29th 2009, brought together those in supervisory roles, employee assistance professionals, psychologists and business professionals to discuss techniques and strategy needed in developing a drug free culture as well as in dealing with incidents of substance abuse in the workplace and even in the home.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Browne, also outlined the government’s commitment to countering the trafficking and use of illicit substances in all its forms through its National Anti-Drug Plan. The plan seeks to decrease drug availability, use and consequences through, among other initiatives, enforcing regulatory mechanisms for licit drugs including prescription and over the counter items and limiting the health and social impact of drug dependency through provision of treatment and rehabilitation services which are affordable and accessible.

He stated that drug trafficking was a lucrative business which made Trinidad both a transit point and the final destination for illegal substance, and that trafficking is usually closely linked to legitimate business operations.  He stressed the importance for the public to associate the recreational use of drugs and instances of homicide and other crimes in Trinidad and Tobago.  In closing he encouraged participants to maintain the commitment to fighting the drug scourge through building awareness and skills based knowledge in dealing with instances of drug abuse in the workplace.

Paul Holder, Acting Coordinator, National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (NADAPP), addressed participants as to the role of NADAPP and how its resources may be utilised by organisations for the purposes of drug abuse detection and identification. He outlined the most popular illicit and licit drugs being used in Trinidad and Tobago, the signs and symptoms of its abuse as well as the impact of and factors which encourage substance abuse in the workplace. He stressed the importance of the role of the Employee Assistance Programme in dealing with substance abuse in the workplace and the need for supervisors and heads of departments to be trained in awareness programmes. Mr. Holder listed NADAPP’s role in substance abuse prevention in a workplace scenario as promotion of the development of a drug free culture, consultancy services to organisations who desire to develop drug-free policies and initiatives, drug use surveys, and research and training for early identification of drug abuse. He also provided information for major testing and treatment centres.

Echoing Paul Holder’s sentiments that an organisation’s drug-free policy is an important first step in creating a drug free culture, Mrs. Kerlina Niles, Employee Relations Manager, National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited, also offered pointers for supervisors in addressing suspected substance abuse. She stressed that suspicions needed to be proven in order for action to be taken. She also made recommendations as to the course of action to be taken after an employee is found to be abusing drugs. 

Other speakers at the workshop were Mr. Steve Bailey, Psychologist and Managing Director, Behavioural Consultancy Services Limited, who acted as moderator for the second day’s events and Professor Miguel Carrillo , Executive Director, Lok Jack GSB, who reminded participants that addiction was a human flaw and that as supervisors they not only managed labour tasks but lives as well.

Professional Development

HR Labour Law
August 4th, 7th & 12th, 2009

Labour laws play an essential role in maintaining industrial peace in organisations as well as the wider society. Adhering to labour laws in employment practices also helps to ensure distributive justice, procedural justice as well as interactional justice and helps to maintain fairness and equity for both employers and employees. These laws, therefore, should be thought of not only as legal constraints; but also as sources of information for employers, employees and potential employees. Employers need to ensure that good industrial relations practices are adhered to in hiring and keeping employees while employees need to know and understand the contract they have made with their respective employers.

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Coaching and Mentoring Skills for Managers
August 10th, 11th & September 9th, 2009

In this workshop, participants learn the organisational and individual benefits associated with employee performance coaching and counseling: they will examine opportunities for using coaching and mentoring in the workplace; they will discuss the personal attributes and behaviours of those who effectively practice employee coaching and counseling; they will have an opportunity to plan and execute, by use of role play, a coaching intervention. Workshop attendees will also be able to assess their competence in the areas of listening, providing feedback, and creating Personal Development Plans (PDPs) – three critical activities in the mentoring and coaching process.

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Skills Development

Public Relations Tool kit
August 24th – 25th 2009

Overview

In this changing environment, Public Relations is still the main form of communicating to the public about an organization. Public Relations can be deployed in various ways incorporating both traditional techniques and new technology.

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Language Skills
August 19th – 20th 2009 

Overview

This two-day course will address directly the anxieties that arise when faced with writing tasks. It aims, ultimately, to improve writing skills and, in so doing, increase participants’ confidence in approaching the written register.

Content coverage will also explore an introduction to Trinidad Creole.  The introduction will identify/demonstrate how Creole interferes with the Standard English register to create confusion and inaccuracies among Trinidadians and Tobagonians (Creole vs Standard English).

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Events Management

One-Month Intensive -
Event Management Certificate–
George Washington University
August 2009

Overview

Enhance your skills with the internationally accredited Certificate in Events Management done in collaboration with the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business and the George Washington University.
This one month intensive programme is designed with you in mind and explores major trends and successful business practices in Event Management.

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Lifeskills – Youth Camp
August 11th – 14th 2009

Overview

This 4 day workshop will expose youths to a series of tools that will build confidence and help in realizing their full potential.
A lot of time and energy is spent preparing them for academic accomplishments so much so that they lack the basic life skills necessary to succeed  - skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, identifying personal strengths, etiquette and other self development areas that nurture and inspire future leaders.

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