MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE DRUG-FREE, DDB URGES

A Dangerous Drugs Board-sponsored government/private sector seminar aimed
at promoting drug-free workplace was successfully held recently at Loyola
Heights, Quezon City.

The seminar, launched in coordination with private drug-testing firm,
DrugCheck Philippines Inc., was also held to advocate greater productivity
among private firms by coming up with programs designed to stamp out drug
use among employes and officials.

The seminar tackled the importance on why firms should comply with the new
law that mandates firms to conduct drug test for would-be hired employes.

DrugCheck spokesperson Mylon Villasante said the law is very timely in lieu
of the alarming result of a survey that 36 percent of patients in
rehabilitation centers are employes of top corporations.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the firm that conducted
the survey, corporate productivity increases significantly with the advent
of mandatory drug-testing for employes.

Another survey firm, the Hoffman Construction Company of Maryland, affirmed
that accidents in construction firms were reduced by 96 percent after
requiring their workers to undergo drug test.

The seminar was packed with participants coming from different parts of the
country. The participants consisted of workers, professionals, businessmen,
employers and housewives as well as civic and religious leaders.

According to DDB, the employers and the workers are interested in promoting
drug-free workplace so as to enhance their productivity and ensure smooth
and orderly operations.

They said a workplace that is not drug-free is very dangerous, both for the
workers and the employers.