September 1, 2008

Occupational Health and Safety

Drug treatment facility not included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy

Richard Gilbert

staff writer

The only residential drug treatment centre in western Canada geared specifically to meet the needs of construction workers with substance abuse problems has not been included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy.

The Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of B.C. and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trade Unions announced on Aug. 21 that B.C.’s construction unions and their employers are implementing a new substance abuse testing and treatment policy.

Under the policy, a test will be done on unionized workers in B.C. who are involved in workplace accidents or near-misses, or when there is reasonable suspicion of impairment on the job.

The policy document states that an employee who tests positive will be referred to the Employee Assistance Program and may be required to take further assessment, treatment or counseling, before returning to work.

The implementation of this new policy could increase the number of people needing residential treatment.

However, the policy document fails to explain what facilities are available to handle those who test positive.

“We are not mentioned in the new drug policy and had no input,” said Gordie Klassen, Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan administrator.

“But, as a result of the new policy being put in place, we expect additional people to come to the program. The expectation on the part of the trustees is that the number of people requiring treatment is going to increase.”

The Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan has been around since 1980 and came into existence as a result of the relationship between BCBCBTU and the CLRA.

Initially, the program provided referrals and sent clients to outside facilities.

But, there was difficulty in getting people into these facilities, so a treatment centre was established in 1989.

To qualify for assistance, the worker must be a member of a building trade union and recently employed by a contractor, who contributes to the plan.

If the worker qualifies, they are sent to an intake counselor, who does an assessment to see if they are suitable to go to the program.

“The person must be serious about kicking the habit,” explained Klassen.

“It usually takes a few weeks to get in and they must stay in contact with the intake counselor. They will also be asked to attend AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings.”

The residential treatment centre in New Westminster has eight beds and offers a five-week program with weekly intakes.

The centre has nine full time staff that provide service 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

“We do a drug test when they arrive to make sure they are clean when they get there,” said Klassen.

“We do intakes on weekends and try to keep it staggered. If they are clean, they can stay the night and get into the program the following day.”

The intake is staggered so current residents can support the new arrivals.

The treatment centre does not provide a detox program, but nearly half of those accepted go to detox before entering the program.

“We have had success with people who have hit rock bottom,” he said.

“When the good times are over, your job is gone and your family is gone, people are more serious about treatment.”

The five week treatment process includes group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and an introduction to and participation in the various 12 Step recovery programs, lectures and life-skills training

“If anybody thinks of an employee assistance program in construction, they think about us,” Klassen said.

According to him, the treatment centre helps more than 100 unionized construction workers from a number of trades overcome drug and alcohol addiction every year.

The BC and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council website states that the centre has provided treatment for more than 1,700 tradesmen since opening in late 1989.

The residential treatment centre can only accommodate men, but female construction workers and their dependents can be referred to outside facilities.

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