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superseded now by drug addiction.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.