Communicating Alcohol and Drug Prevention Strategies and Models across Cultural Boundaries: Preliminary Report on an ILO/WHO/UNDCP [International Labour Office/World Health Organization/United Nations International Drug Control Program] Interagency Program

Abstract

The joint ILO/WHO/UNDCP collaborative program “Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Problems among Workers and their Families” represents transfer of an innovative model to a culturally diverse group of nations: Egypt, Mexico, Namibia, Poland, and Sri Lanka. The concept is to move from reactive programs–led by alcohol and drug experts, reactive to problem employees–to proactive prevention led by management. Nontechnical language and metaphors have been developed to secure the commitment of managers in the private and public sectors. Participating countries and enterprises adapt the program to local conditions, fostering “local ownership” with the objective of creating self-sustaining activities. The objective is to describe elements of the program which may be readily transferable worldwide across the cultural borders that characterize nations, enterprises, and public sector workplaces. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]

Key Words:

• Prevention
• Cultural boundaries
• Interagency
• Workplace
• Demand reduction
• Transferability
• Adaptability