"The goal of the project was to develop models of successful small enterprise prevention and assistance programmes that could be replicated ... worldwide. The pilot project was implemented in five countries: Egyp, India, Malaysia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This manual is a product of the project and is based on the findings and lessons learned from the experience of the five participating countries and, in particular, on a workplace substance abuse prevention training module developed in South Africa for use by the ILO's Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) project. It provides background information and a step-by-step guide for developing small business substance abuse prevention initiatives."--Preface.

Abuse of drugs and alcohol may cause serious difficulties at work including deterioration in job performance. Abuse is caused by a range of personal, family, social or work situations or a combination of such factors. This report presents a variety of multidisciplinary approaches to the prevention, assistance, treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol- and drug-related problems in the workplace. Although experience has shown the difficulty of eliminating substance abuse, the policies presented are likely to yield constructive results for workers and employers alike.

All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.