A new SAGA has begun i

IN LATE JUNE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to sit in ona
pilot ugg presentation on the important issues of

Substan ddictions Apilotprogram
di

A ee alk

and executive board memes of UW Locals 1-424. and t-

425 to teach our union | howto

assist oe with
diction

ABOUT ad
YOUR We ie that
E there are over
COVERS. 600,000 Canadians
dependent on alco-
hol while some

wn, many workpl, ies.

Meanwhile Stats Canada says that 6.3 per cent of those
who gamble are “at risk or problem gamblers.” That works
out to about 0.6 per cent of all Canadians. Whereas many

in addiction awareness

(Srila

cause, few are ea about patie addictions.
But both are linked. One involves taking a foreign sub-
singe fate the body and the other i is caused by a chemical
which can cause
both highs and lows in the central nervous system.

The end result of the addictions are devastating. Not

only for the effects that workers and but
for the impacts on families and coumuries! I, like most
who attended the sessions, came away with anew under-
standing and appreciation
that is being done to help people.

Hats off to presenters Jim Stimson, Neal Berger and Dr.
Douglas Graham for taking us through this pilot aware-
ness course. I hope that the union will continue to support
its development and implementation. And thanks to both
locals for hosting the first pilot program.

Gerry Smith is a USW Staff Representative

work

Steel supports launch of pilot program

IT’S fy NEEM AND ORION ESR Dae
of

. De
with substance abuse and gamblin;
addictions is not easy for anybody to
do. But there’s too many of our mem-
bers and families that are affected, for
us to bury our heads in the sand.

That why the SAGA, (the Substance
Abuse and Gambling Addictions) pro-
acs ien SE Sre ee e

United Steelworkers Tocals,
The pilot program, which has been
endorsed by IWA Council local

the d f a leadership train-

ing mh in addition to other
materials.

Locals that want SAGA implemen-
tation are to cover costs of the location
for training while a registration fee
sue be applied.

hat issues is et Bays USW National
Director Neum:

bling problems, won't seek out help.”

unions, is a comprehensive program
designed to help the membership
with a better understanding of the
issues around addiction.

Program components include a
leadership fetta program (two days)

and a one ay

train-

| Rdurstional materials are to be dis-
se ide with posters. Further
can

rograms, fo:
Feclaped! in the future.

= Gambling casinos have sprung up across
the Canadian landscape. norman Garcia

Well-l ialist Jim Stimson

who worked to form and promote
Employee and Family Assistance
Programs, is working on the program
with addiction counsellor Neal Berger.
Former IWA national vice president
Neil Menard also endorses the SAGA.
union endorses participation
in a pilot program and is interested in

New drugs like crystal meth are
extremely cheap, at $10 a hit, and addic-
tive. Addich, te gi hI: ig +
fuel government revenues.

In 2004 Canadian governments
raked in $6.2 billion from all forms of
gambling - more than alcohol and
tobacco taxes combined.

An initial pilot course for leadership
was held in Quesnel on
20. It was attended by USW Locals 1-
424 and 1-425.

26 | JUNE 2006 THE ALLIED WORKER