Pubdate: Sun, 17 Aug 2003
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2003 The Tribune Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2973
Author: Marie A. Surbano

MORE YOUNG WORKERS USE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE

Young workers using prohibited drugs are increasing.

This was the result of the study conducted by the Trade Union Congress of 
the Philippines (TUCP) concerning the prevalence of drug use among the 
youth or those within their productive age.

Alex Aguilar, spokesman of TUCP, an organized labor group, explained that 
previously the problem among young workers was alcohol abuse, but this is 
superseded now by drug addiction.

"Mostly, the reason they raised for being into drugs and alcohol use are 
peer pressure, while some are just curious, but eventually they can no 
longer resist it and they become hooked on it," Aguilar said.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, expressing alarm on the case, admitted 
that prevalence of drug and alcohol use in the workplace is now considered 
a serious concern among employers in the country. "The situation is very 
distressing," she said in an earlier interview.

Records indicate that two out of 100 or 33 per cent of the estimated 1.7 
million drug dependents are workers.

Data from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) also show that majority of the 
drug dependents are workers 18 to 35 years of age and are mostly young 
professionals.

Sto. Tomas added that other data disclose that 66 per cent of poisoning 
admissions in government hospitals are related to alcohol use.

According to the labor chief, the problem of drug and alcohol abuse has 
contributed to high absenteeism, low quality of products and frequent 
accidents resulting in injuries and even death.

"Rampant alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace adversely affects the 
quality and efficiency of work and consequently diminishes workers' 
productivity," Sto. Tomas pointed out.

To curb the growing drug and alcohol abuse, the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DoLE), together with the Employers Confederation of the 
Philippines (ECOP) and TUCP, two years ago forged an agreement to help 
prevent the problem from escalating.

Under the memorandum of agreement, DoLE, TUCP and ECOP formulated measures 
and programs that would detect and control alcohol and drug abuse in the 
workplace.

TUCP also developed policies and was assigned to closely monitor the 
alcohol and illegal drug abuse prevention programs in the workplace.

ECOP, on the other hand, agreed to provide the necessary resources for the 
implementation of the anti-drug and alcohol abuse programs, while TUCP will 
promote the programs in the worksite.

At present, employers and workers are still implementing the policies and 
programs to ensure that young workers will be kept away from drugs and 
alcohol use.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens