In commemoration of the 2025 International Workers’ Day, the Institute for Public Safety and Prevention of Sociopathic Behaviour (IPSPB), in collaboration with the African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), is set to host a two-day training workshop focused on preventing drug and substance abuse in the workplace.
The workshop, themed “Creating a Safe and Productive Work Environment: Preventing Substance Abuse in the Workplace,” will hold on May 6th and 7th, 2025, at Barcelona Hotel, 23 Blantyre Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
According to a statement released by Ambassador Chris Ibe, Rector of IPSPB, the workshop aims to raise awareness about the growing impact of substance abuse on workplace productivity, safety, and employee well-being, while equipping participants with practical tools to address the issue.
“Substance abuse is a serious concern across many industries. It compromises safety, reduces productivity, damages employee morale, and can even result in legal and financial setbacks for organizations,” Ibe noted.
He emphasized the importance of a proactive approach to addressing substance abuse, pointing out that fostering a culture of wellness, care, and support is essential to building a productive work environment.
Ibe posited that the workshop is specifically designed for professionals who influence workplace health and policy, including HR managers, supervisors, team leaders, safety officers, labour union representatives, and administrators.
“Participants will be trained to: Identify signs of drug and substance abuse among employees. understand the various forms of substance misuse affecting workplaces. Implement preventive measures and formulate supportive workplace policies and provide appropriate assistance to employees battling addiction”.
“The success of this initiative rests on the active involvement of individuals positioned to shape organizational responses to health and well-being. Our goal is to equip them with knowledge and strategies to create safer, more supportive workplaces,” Ibe added.
While the focus remains on prevention, Ibe asserts that the workshop will also address intervention strategies and recovery support for affected employees, aiming to promote a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable approach to workplace health management.
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