Minister sees Drugs & Alcohol Misuse training in action
28 Feb 2008
Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government in the Welsh Assembly Government, visited Corus in South Wales to learn how the company is helping employees to understand the challenges of drugs and alcohol misuse.
In the first partnership of its kind, the company, which employs 5,300 employees in South Wales, has joined forces with Gwent Alcohol Project and WGCADA (West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drugs Abuse) the Community Union, and key contractors, Multiserv and Rowecord Engineering Ltd to face the drugs and alcohol misuse challenge.
Dr Gibbons says: “This challenge affects us in all parts of society, and this visionary initiative shows that large employers, employees’ representatives and experts in the public sector, are working together to tackle one of society’s greatest current issues.”
Corus’ groundbreaking drugs and alcohol misuse initiative has seen the company employ 3 locally based drugs and alcohol misuse counsellors who are dividing their time between working within the company and also working in the community.”
Says Dr Sally Williams, Regional Medical Officer for Corus in Wales, “Our challenge within the company reflects the issue which confronts the whole of society. We have taken a holistic approach and our programme is already showing positive results.”
“Through a major programme of training we have improved understanding of the drugs and alcohol challenge, we have improved our vigilance and empowered managers and individuals to confront the issues in a positive way. Importantly, we have recreated a culture of openness and determination to make a difference for everyone’s benefit.”
The importance of workplace schemes like the Corus project is highlighted in the Welsh Assembly Government’s new strategy on drugs, alcohol and other misused substances, “Working Together to Reduce Harm.” The strategy, which is currently out for consultation, will be backed by an extra £9.6million over the next 3 years from the Assembly Government’s Substance Misuse Action Fund.
