Canadian HR Reporter Weekly

August 8, 2018 Published weekly by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. CUSTOMER SERVICE Tel: (416) 609-3800 (Toronto) (800) 387-5164 (outside Toronto) Fax: (416) 298-5106 customersupport.legaltaxcanada@tr.com www.thomsonreuters.ca One Corporate Plaza 2075 Kennedy Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1T 3V4 Director, Media Solutions, Canada: Karen Lorimer Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Todd Humber todd.humber@thomsonreuters.com (416) 298-5196 Editor/Supervisor: Sarah Dobson sarah.dobson@thomsonreuters.com (416) 649-7896 News Editor: Marcel Vander Wier marcel.vanderwier@thomsonreuters.com (416) 649-7837 Sales Manager: Paul Burton paul.burton@thomsonreuters.com (416) 649-9928 Circulation Co-ordinator: Keith Fulford keith.fulford@thomsonreuters.com (416) 649-9585 Art Director: Dave Escuadro david.escuadro@thomsonreuters.com (416) 649-9358 ©2018 Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher (Thomson Reuters, Media Solutions, Canada). Decriminalizing drugs about destigmatizing dependency: Experts Compassionate approach could help alleviate opioid crisis BY MARCEL VANDER WIER Growing calls to decriminalize all drugs in Canada would not have a detrimental effect on the work- place, according to experts. Boards of health in Toronto and Montreal re- cently made such recommendations, largely in response to the opioid overdose crisis affecting jurisdictions across Canada — and the 303 opioid- related deaths in Toronto last year, said Eileen de Villa, medical officer of health in Toronto. "I appreciate that the federal government is fo- cused on cannabis legislation right now," she said. "My hope is that as some cannabis legislation is ac- tually implemented… they will then be able to turn their mind to the broader questions." "What we're advocating for in public health is what I would characterize as a more compassionate approach to drug policy, and a more compassionate perspective on those who take drugs and who are afflicted with substance use disorder." Nearly 4,000 Canadians died from apparent opi- oid overdose last year, according to Health Canada. Despite the proposals, the federal government said it is not considering the measure at this time. Shifting mindsets Decriminalization is different from legalization, said Toronto city councillor Joe Mihevc, chair of the Toronto board of health. "By putting it in a public health framework, you're not saying that it's a good activity," he said. "You're saying that it's an activity that you under- stand people will undertake, but it's not the kind of activity that requires a police response, but a public health response." "We are a drug-dependent society," said Mihevc. "We have taken — for the last 50 years, at least — a criminal justice approach to the issue. at's what needs rethinking... is is really the big fork in the road that we have to decide as a society." e Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is not opposed to the decrimi- nalization proposals, said Jan Chappel, senior tech- nical specialist at CCOHS in Hamilton, Ont. "I think there's some validity to looking at it from a different angle," she said. "We always take the 'what's best for prevention' approach." Employers have an obligation to ensure work- places are safe, but can do so in a way that removes stigmas, said Chappel. "When you think of it as dealing with it as an im- pairment issue, you don't need to know the cause. You just need to know that they're impaired, they're not doing their job safely for whatever reason." "It would be a mindshift change… Once you start removing the stigma and people know that it's OK to go to their counsellor and they can go to the clinic, they can go to their drug treatment sessions, you're probably (going to) find employ- ers might have to accommodate those medical appointments." "at's breaking down barriers, right there." Employers are already supporting workers through accommodation policies, said Mihevc. "e proposition there is exactly what we're talk- ing about here," he said. "e supervisor does not call the police, but calls in human resources, spe- cialists, gets treatment for that person… It basically destigmatizes dependency." Advice for employers A more compassionate and supportive approach by employers could mean an immediate boost to the battle against a growing opioid crisis, said de Villa. "(Drug users) are often using the medication to manage very challenging circumstances in their lives," she said. "Having a compassionate approach and trying to facilitate the ability for people to actu- ally connect to important resources and support, whether it's a very robust employee assistance program or just being a good listener… I wouldn't underestimate the value of that support." "ere are many people in our community that actually have really suffered significant trauma in their lives, and what's interesting is that our current approach that criminalizes drug use just further ex- acerbates that trauma." e upcoming legalization of cannabis will also prove valuable in an employer context in the effort to manage and minimize harms caused by drug abuse, said de Villa. "We have successfully found ways to make sure that people are still afforded the opportunity and ability to provide value within the context of a workplace, while also ensuring that the workplace is safe — both for that individual and for those who are around them," she said. Regardless of legal or illegal classification, all drugs have the potential to cause harm, said de Villa, noting even prescribed medicines can impact cognition in the workplace. "Oftentimes, members of the public forget that alcohol, too, is a drug which is legalized and strong- ly regulated," she said. "We have an opportunity to learn from how we have managed these issues with respect to other drugs that are out there."

• Cover