ics or psychotropic substances. It affects those people whose jobs could put people around them at risk or whose acts are the responsibility of a third party. Tis decree implies that people involved in these kinds of activities include drivers of any type of vehicle (land or air) and those who trans- port weapons.3 It is important to highlight that studies in
the last 20 years show that the paterns of use and abuse of psychoactive, alcoholic bever- ages, and the use of cigaretes in Colombia are deeply rooted in the culture of the country. For this reason, in 2002, the 734th law generated a unique disciplinary code. Tis code postulates that it is a serious offense to consume any prohibited substance that could cause physical or psycho dependency and to then show up on the job under the influence of any of the narcotics on more than three occasions. In 2009, law 1335 was established, which regulates not only the consumption but also the sale and promotion of cigaretes, tobacco and similar substances. Countrywide, the activities, interven-
tions, and procedures that are in place for preventing accidents and drug and alcohol use/abuse on the job are not only the re- sponsibility of hiring companies but also of the promoters and providers of health care services, social security insurance, family compensation funds and other particular Colombian organizations. With this overview of the legislative
history about alcohol and drugs in the workplace, we can see that there has been great support from the state. At the same time, we can see the results of the implementation of preventative policies that impact the working population and the client immediately. The families of these people are also affected as well as the general community. Te ELAD (Empresa Libre de Alcohol y
Drogas, translated Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace) is a program created by a private company that goes by the same name. Tis type of program is also found in other coun-
www.datia.org
tries that have been working for years toward preventing the consumption of alcohol and narcotics such as Spain, Chile, and United States. ELAD responds to all the legal laws mentioned earlier in this article and works for well being of the country. ELAD strives to create the means to prevent, control, and follow up on the use and abuse of alcohol and narcotics at work in order to improve health care, security, and the quality of life of each employee as well as the image of companies. ELAD begins with a techni- cal and legal review of the program’s goals to support the structural frame in order to design adequate prevention policies. Tey work on social activities and awareness programs for the employees. Tese will help to determine the situation of the company in order to evaluate the labor risk and what programs should be implemented in order to control and follow the individuals that are struggling until the company is 100 percent free of alcohol and drugs. Tis work model is based on specific
requirements of the Occupational Health legislation, favoring the prevention of risk and substance consumption. It addresses each of
the company requirements and also individu- als to whom it offers awareness and social- based activities that are part of the program. In Colombia there is the Company
Social Responsibility (RSE) which is part of the Technical Social Responsibility organization—ICONTEC (Colombian Institute of Technical Rules). It is the voluntary agreement organizations take on for worker and company integrity, and to ensure economic growth, social develop- ment and ecological equilibrium. ELAD assumes that the Company
Social Responsibility is an important subject because it relates to the Colom- bian population’s well-being and progress. When prevention programs and policies are set into motion in business, the RSE will be enforced because it is something that transcends the financial and administrative aspects of the employees and of their differ- ent environments in the Colombian society.4 Colombia’s legislative framework has
supported the efforts of proponents of drug-free workplaces who have put the laws into action. Tese companies have achieved an important goal: Tey became examples
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