Join us in Ottawa or Toronto for our first-ever training workshop on preventing and reducing substance use in the workplace! Geared for managers, human resources, union representatives, and related positions in both safety-sensitive (e.g., construction, mining) and non–safety-sensitive industries (e.g., offices, retail), we’ll help you develop better approaches to managing these situations.
Across industries, we’ll train you on how to recognize and reduce risks and integrate protective factors, as well as help you better understand how workplace culture may unintentionally normalize or even promote substance use, undermining existing policies and putting your workers at risk.
In today’s challenging political and economic climates, some workers are likely to turn to substance use to cope, contributing to reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, diminished employee morale and well-being, and greater health and safety risks. In fact, lost productivity due to substance use cost the Canadian economy $22.4 billion in 2020 alone.
Practical and Applied Training for You
The good news is that evidence-based education and training is one of the most effective tools to address and prevent substance use in the workplace.
Our pilot workshop is designed to help workplace leaders build better, more supportive environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and proactive education through:
- Best practices for improving workplace responses to substance use, including identifying and reducing risk factors, understanding how substance use intersects with the work environment, and boosting protective measures.
- Strategies for reviewing and strengthening workplace policies, establishing meaningful support options for workers, and supporting safe return-to-work plans.
- Legal responsibilities, stigma, high-risk factors, and effective prevention strategies.
- Skills to recognize when something’s not right, respond without judgment and have effective, supportive conversations.
- Real-world case studies, role-playing exercises and hands-on practice to build confidence in addressing substance use concerns.
A comprehensive suite of learning materials, ready-to-use templates, and prevention and education resources to support your ongoing efforts.
Workshop Details
We’re offering our workshop three times in the coming months.
When:
- Option #1: Nov. 27–28, 2025, Ottawa, Ont. (venue and time TBD)
- Option #2: Late January 2026, Toronto, Ont. (venue and time TBD)
- Option #3: Early March 2026, Ottawa, Ont. (venue and time TBD)
Intended For: Managers, human resources, union representatives, or similar in safety-sensitive and non–safety-sensitive industries
Registration Fee: $500 per person
Trainer: Shawna Meister, MA, CCSA Associate Director, Innovation and Evidence in Practice
Notes:
- Lunch and snacks included.
- This workshop does not provide legal advice.
- Limited space available.
- Dates for all workshop offerings will be finalized before registration opens, and registration will open after Labour Day.
