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Thursday, April 8, 2010
8:30–9:00 am
Addiction: cunning baffling powerful – understanding the disease
Dr. M. Oreskovich. MD
Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Physicians Health Program
Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Physicians Health Program
The disease of addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It insinuates itself into every aspect of the sufferer’s life and makes everyone else sick who comes in contact with the sufferer. It is one of the most prevalent and devastating diseases in the world. Yet, the treatment works well if applied one day at a time. So what is this disease? Why is it so devastating? Most importantly, what is this treatment that works perfectly? Dr. Oreskovich will answer these questions based on his 17 years experience of working with this disease.
9:00–9:20 am
Workplace impairment: a look at the commonest causes
Ron Powell, BASc, MBA, MSc
Manager of Health, Safety, Quality and Environment at ProTrans BC
Fatigue gets a “free” pass: Of all the impairment factors found in the workplace from medicinal drug use, to illicit drug use to alcohol use and combinations of these, there is ample evidence that workplace fatigue may be as bad or worse as an impairment factor but we view and treat this impairment source differently. Our views on these factors are contrasted and compared as results from five separate releases of an Impairment Survey (UK, Vancouver, Global) are discussed. There was strong consistency in message – fatigue is the Number 1 problem, the majority view was, take no action on the fatigue-impaired unless their job is a risk to another. This discussion will suggest reasons for this as well as review on-going research intended to provide a fitness-for-duty screen for workers.
9:20–9:50 am
Substance use and work: how it presents and what needs to happen
Dr. Ray Baker BSc. MD, FCFP, FASAM
Associate Clinical Professor UBC, Medical Director, HealthQuest Occupational Health Corp.
In this brief overview Dr. Baker will provide a summary of how substance use disorders negatively affect the workplace, how to avoid this threat to workplace health and safety and the essential components of effective management processes for prevention, early intervention, disability management with return to work and long-term risk reduction with problem resolution. In this session we will learn:
• Essential components of a “healthy workplace” • Liabilities and costs to the workplace of employee addictions
• Barriers to detection
• Most effective intervention strategies
• Effective disability management plans for return to work
• Contingency management - the key to resolution (the carrot and the stick)
10:20–10:40 am
Mental illness and addictions in the workplace
Joti Samra, PhD, RPsych
Clinical Psychologist
In this session learn:
• How mental illness and addictions present in the workplace
• What systems might assist in addressing this issue?
• Practical packages that are available
• Tips and traps
10:40–11:00 am
The dos and don’t’s of drug testing for employers - navigating this minefield
Dr. Paul Farnan, MD
HealthQuest Occupational Health
When drug testing is discussed, it is usually assumed that the subject is urine drug testing. Typical questions raised by the workplace include: Is it legal? Is it accurate? Does it guarantee a drug free workplace? Should we do it ourselves on site?1. Address common myths and misconceptions related to drug testing initiatives
2. Understand the latest advances in drug testing methods, including oral fluid, sweat and hair testing.
3. Learn the importance of specimen collection, handling, testing and the work of a Medical Review Officer
4. Appreciate the consequences of a poorly thought out corporate ‘drug testing’ policy
11:00–11:20 am
A pill for every ill and the effect of prescribed drugs on workplace performance: who is at risk and what should you know
Paul W. Sobey, MD CCFP
Addiction Medicine Specialist
We tend to focus on workplace problems associated with illegal drugs and alcohol. Many prescribed medicines have helped to improve the general health of our population but for all their benefits, these medicines can also cause harm, especially when used inappropriately. The challenge is to use medicines wisely - to make the most of the benefits and keep their potential to cause harm to a minimum, especially in the workplace. This session will not only offer education on the problems of prescription drug abuse, but will also help you to obtain practical understanding regarding medications such as methadone, chronic pain medications, sleeping pills, and other sedatives
11:20–11:40 am
A deadly combination: addiction in the workplace and a culture of concealment
Neal Berger, MAC, SPAC
Executive Director of Cedars At Cobble Hill
Even when resources exist, workers with substance use disorders struggle to access them. There seems to be very little coordination between health care providers, EAP programs, treatment centres and the workplace. In fact workplace systems, including management and union often enable the problem to continue. The challenge we face is trying to overcome the culture of silence that allows substance use disorders to escalate; engaging the organizational and union leadership as well as workers and their community in addressing the need to change the nature of the system; creating a climate of trust and ultimately working collectively to assist people in accessing assessment and treatment sooner rather than later.
1:00–1:40 pm
Managing and accommodating workers who use drugs
Sebastien Anderson, L.L.B.
Partner in the law firm Victory Square Law Office LLP
Greg Heywood LLB, Partner, Roper Greyell
This session, back from our last conference by popular demand, will provide information in an entertaining and mildly adversarial way, on employers’ responsibilities and liabilities when dealing with employees whose substance use has become a problem affecting workplace attendance, performance, behaviour or safety.
1:40–2:00 pm
Pathological gambling: is it relevant in my workplace?
Clarence Chan
Problem Gambling Counselor, Richmond Addiction Services
Gambling is often presented as glamorous and exciting. But increased access to gambling brings with it an increase in the number of gambling-related problems. These can show up in the workplace in various ways: lost time, lost productivity and, in more severe situations, theft. Employers need to be aware of the potential harm that can come from gambling problems and take steps to educate and support their employees. In this session participants will:
• Learn some of the workplace warning signs of a coworker with a gambling problem
• Review awareness training strategies and activities
• Consider how to make problem gambling counseling and other resources available to employees
2:00–2:20 pm
Women – addictions and recovery
Monica Glass, MA & Michelle MacQuarrie
Coordinators of the North Shore Avalon Women’s Centre
In this session, Monica and Michelle, through a blend of personal and professional experience, will discuss the nature of addiction in women, the barriers that women face when entering recovery, and the story of the Avalon Women’s Centre, a drop-in Centre for women seeking recovery from addiction, that has been serving women with substance use problems for almost 20 years.
2:20–2:40 pm
What to ask for in medical reports
Kim Skeath, B.Sc. Kin, RK
Manager of Workplace Health & Wellness at the Washington Marine Group of Companies
The employer has a responsibility to provide a safe workplace. When it comes to medical information we often believe that the more we get the better. In fact the employer requires specific information from assessing addiction specialists, monitors or treatment centres. It is advisable to have guidelines with regard to any personal medical information requested and how private employee information is handled and acted on.
3:30–4:20 pm
Practical guidelines for managers and coworkers – having the difficult conversation with the addicted employee or colleague
John Beckett, MBA, CRSP
Director, Health, Safety & Recruitment, BC Maritime Employers Association
Mike Tibbles
Human Resources Management, London Drugs
In this interactive session participants, with the assistance of the facilitators, will:
• Review the employer’s responsibilities and potential liabilities relating to employees with substance use disorders
• Examine a series of realistic workplace scenarios in which employees are involved in behaviours, incidents or changes in their attendance or performance that demand an intervention by the employer.
• Outline the framework and components of successful intervention interviews.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
8:30–9:00 am
Doctors with addictions: what has worked for them?
Dr. M. Oreskovich, MD
Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Physicians Health Program
Addiction in physicians is often diagnosed as stress, burnout or depression, thus causing less stigma and shame. Once physicians learn they are sick rather than bad and acknowledge their powerlessness over their addictive disorder they achieve extremely high rates of recovery. Studies of substance dependent physicians in state physician health programs show 81% abstinent remission at 5 to 11 years. Dr. Oreskovich will describe the components of treatment, monitoring, and rehabilitation that are responsible for such high rates of recovery among physicians, which can be extrapolated to the general population.
9:00–9:30 am
Is this strange behaviour I’m witnessing related to addiction or some other mental illness? Sorting out the overlap
Dr. Merville Vincent, BASc., MSc, MD, FRCPC, ASAM
Director of Psychiatric Services, Edgewood.
In this session participants will:
• Learn important general concepts involved in the presentation and medical assessment of persons who appear as if they might have co - occurring disorders.
• Review specific challenges in the provision of integrated treatment and coordinated responses for these individuals
• Consider the important role of the workplace in assisting employees at an early stage
9:30–10:00 am
Unions’ roles in addressing members’ addictions
Neil Menard, Jack McGourty, Rick Whiteford
In this session members of several unions with experience in assisting members with addictive disorders will discuss their unions’ programs and roles their union has played in successfully interacting with the member, the employer and treatment providers.
10:20–10:40 am
Disability management and reflections on return to work when the disability involves addiction
Jason Parker, B.HK
Disability Management Consultant
In this session, participants will learn the important general principles involved in a safe and sustainable return to work for employees after treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. Will also review practical advice aimed at motivating the employee while appreciating the responsibilities of the employer – especially for those employees who work in safety sensitive jobs.
10:40–11:20 am
Considerations for developing workplace policies on substance use
Ray Baker, John Beckett, Greg Heywood
A safe and healthy workplace requires a substance use policy that is clearly communicated to all employees. The process of developing and rolling out the policy may be as important as its content. In this session we will cover essential considerations and components of up to date and effective drug and alcohol policies. There will be time for questions and discussion.
11:20–11:40 am
Harm reduction, or is it? Controversial issues in addiction medicine
Dr. Donald Hedges, MD
Addiction Medicine Specialist
Dr. Hedges will discuss the various forms of harm reduction, including needle exchanges, safe injection sites and methadone, comparing these controversial practices with other, more conventional methods to reduce harm through addressing the needs of the client and providing abstinence-based psychiatric, medical and addiction treatments. He will also briefly address marijuana and the concept of “medical marijuana” and the some implications of decriminalization or legalization of what are now illicit drugs.
1:00–1:30 pm
Can we still use the hybrid approach?
P. Janzen, L.L.B.
Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
The Labour Relations Board’s hybrid approach to addiction when there is a connection to employee misconduct has been scrutinized recently by the B.C. Court of Appeal. Can we still rely on the hybrid approach when dealing with these complex cases? Patricia Janzen will provide an update on the current state of the law.
1:30–2:00 pm
Medical monitoring and RTW
Dr. P. Farnan, Dr. Ray Baker
When employees with addictions return to work after successful treatment the risk of relapse is still relatively high. If their work is highly responsible or safety sensitive, or if they are at the point of possible termination, the employer requires assurance that the employee: a) is doing their part to ensure they remain drug-free, and; b) they are fit and safe to be at work. High quality medical monitoring is the answer. Medical monitoring is much more than drug testing. Done properly, medical monitoring results in resolution of expensive workplace liability and performance problems and results in the very highest rates of successful recovery from addiction. Learn the tips and traps of monitoring and the standards you should expect when your employee/patient/claimant signs on to a monitored relapse prevention agreement.
2:00–2:30 pm
EFAPs: what you should expect from your employee and family assistance program – and how to know if you’re getting it
George Grant, CEAP, RSW
ACCESS Consultants
What’s happened? Very few employees and their family members with substance abuse issues are involved in their workplace EFAP or EAP. Why have current workplace-based EFAPs lost their historical high rate of involvement with substance abusing employees? What impact do EFAPs have on the limited number of substance abusing employees it may assess, refer or follow-up with?
3:20–4:00 pm
Substance use disorders – surely nurses are immune? A collaborative approach for BC nurses presented by BC Nurses Union & the College of Registered Nurses of BC
Deborah Charrois, L.L.B.
Jacinta MacKinnon, RN MN
The fact that a person has RN after their name doesn’t mean they are immune to ddiction. In fact the reality is that being a health care provider typically results in greater shame and stigma for those nurses who are struggling with their ‘secret’ of addiction. Because diagnosis of substance dependence is typically made very late in health professionals, accidental overdose and death is a real risk. In BC we have seen a proactive collaboration between the College of Registered Nurses of BC and the BC Nurses Union as they tackle this problem.
4:00–4:40 pm
Making your workplace a healthier place
Dr. Michael Leeds, PhD, MT
Dr. Leeds will discuss stress management and self-care techniques to use when the workplace is less than functional. This entertaining presentation will offer a collection of survival tips with some demonstrations on how to help ourselves and our patients/clients/employees get well and stay well at work.
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