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Issue No. 139 | 07 June 2002 |
With Prejudice
Interview: Class Action Safety: A Mother's Tale Unions: The Hottest Seat in Town International: Defensive Enterprise Economics: A Super Deal? History: A Radical Life Media: Cross Purposes Review: When the Force Is Unconscious Poetry: Wouldn't It Be Loverly
Grieving Mum Turns Cole Around Hamberger Grilled Over AWA Scam Government Shrugs Off Death Sentence Charge Action To Pay Foreign Crew Aussie Wages Birds Get More Protection Than Workers Budget Delivers - But Not For DOCS Statewide Ban On Grain Loading Howard Soft On Organised Crime? UN Honours Building Union Drugs Program Award-Winning Poet Wins Right To Write Mahathir Told to Release Labour Activisits Horta Backs Western Sahara Independence
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Week in Review
Robbo's Rave Latham Ad Nauseum Our Home Is Girt By Wire Hands Off Hooligans!
Labor Council of NSW |
News UN Honours Building Union Drugs Program
The BTG Program is one of only 15 case studies to be selected and included in a special report to be distributed to global policy makers and practitioners by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. Program co-ordinator Trevor Sharp said it's a fantastic honour to be recognised as a world leader in drug abuse prevention. 'Our program was the only workplace program in the world that was chosen by the UN -you can't get any higher recognition than that.' Sharp says it has been a tough 13-year slog to get to the top. 'When we first started we copped a bit of stick from professionals who thought we were just a flash in the pan.' Sharp says the success of the program is due to a simple formula. 'It works because it's designed by building workers for building workers. We asked them what they wanted and they told us.' Sharp also gives credit to being a bricklayer, union delegate and his first hand knowledge of alcohol and drug abuse for helping to know what's needed. 'We understand the culture of the industry. Our appearance and language may seem a bit rough and ready but it's effective. Building workers can relate to us because our staff are from the industry.' Even though Sharp says the Program is like one of his kids, he's quick to move out of the spotlight and pays credit to others. 'Pat Carr (the union's former Workers Compensation officer) was a real inspiration and our staff have always been totally committed. We have worked hard to promote the Program and to have building workers assist us in our fundraising activities.' Sharp says the results of the Program speak for themselves. 'We've achieved what University professors and Health Departments have not been able to. Building workers built it. It's their Program and they should be proud of what their hard work has achieved.'
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