Model workplace substance abuse prevention programmes in Slovenia |
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Slovenia was one of six Central and Eastern European countries (the others were Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Russian Federation and Ukraine) in which a UNDCP-funded project was carried out, starting in 1995, to mobilize enterprises and workers to prevent substance abuse. Under the guidance of a tripartite advisory board, assistance was provided to six enterprises in Slovenia for the introduction of pilot drug and alcohol abuse prevention programmes.
The participating enterprises have reported that the project has provided an important stimulus for the introduction of a preventive approach in cooperation with the workforce, replacing the former attitude of trying to hide drug and alcohol abuse problems and resorting to dismissal in severe cases. They have also noted a decline in absenteeism, sick leave and accidents, combined with improved productivitiy and work quality.
One of the particating enterprises is Iscrameco, a high-technology company in the Krajan region of the country. The drug and alcohol abuse prevention initiative has been built into the structure of the company's educational and social programmes which cover, among other areas, the promotion of a healthy life-style for employees and their families. The programme has played an important role in developing a local network in Krajan, including local health-care and rehabilitation institutions. It has also responded to pressure from foreign investors, particularly in Germany and the United States, to increase social programmes in the company.
The Slovenian Government has provided resources for the expansion of prevention programmes in other enterprises. It organized a seminar in Lubliana in October 1999 for over 50 human resource managers who are interested in initiating prevention programmes in their companies. Information materials have been produced in Slovenian and the pilot programmes have received coverage in the media. Moreover, new regulations on safety and health will require more preventive activities at the workplace, including drug and alcohol programmes.
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