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Ideas for Community Coalitions and Neighborhood Organizations
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Drug-Free Work Week
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Organizations that conduct these or any other activities in
recognition of Drug-Free Work Week, however small in scope,
are encouraged to
let us know. A listing of ideas will be developed for others to
browse when planning for future Drug-Free Work Weeks (Any references to people’s or
associations’ names will be deleted.)
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Post a Drug-Free Work Week Web link – A Drug-Free
Work Week link on your Web site reinforces the idea that
reducing drug abuse requires commitment from all sectors of society,
including the workplace. It also offers local employers access to
ideas for implementing activities in their workplaces. To
create a link, use the
Drug-Free Work Week logo or a simple text headline (for
example, “XYZ Coalition Supports Drug-Free Work Week”) and
link it to the
Drug-Free Work Week Web site.
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Solicit a Drug-Free Work Week proclamation – Community
coalitions and neighborhood organizations can cultivate
community-wide support for Drug-Free Work Week by asking their
mayor, governor or other official to formally proclaim the event. A
template that organizations can easily customize is available to
assist in soliciting such a proclamation. In addition, community
leaders could be encouraged to mention Drug-Free Work Week during
various public appearances leading up to the week. For content
ideas, see the Drug-Free Work Week
talking points.
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Hold a drug-free workplace “management breakfast” or “brown-bag
lunch” – Drug-Free Work Week presents an opportune time
to sponsor an informal seminar or panel presentation for local
employers on the topic of workplace alcohol and drug abuse
prevention and the benefits of drug-free workplaces. Such an event
also offers the opportunity for community coalitions and
neighborhood organizations to promote their overall efforts and
possibly earn additional sponsorships and support from local
businesses.
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Hold a poster contest – Drug-Free Work Week’s “Working
Drug Free Works” slogan (or any slogan used by your organization)
could be the theme for a poster contest for local youth. Such a
contest could have different levels for different age groups, and
winning entries could be displayed at a central location in the
community. In addition, winners could be recognized by community
and business leaders at a reception or other event, and media could
be invited.
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Sponsor a health fair – Drug-Free Work Week is a great
time for coalitions and neighborhood associations to hold a
community health fair. Exhibitors might include local health
services, alcohol and drug treatment providers, and community
organizations. In addition, local employers with drug-free
workplace programs could be invited to exhibit or participate in
some other way. Such an event could be held at a mall, outdoor
shopping center or public park, and fun activities could be
incorporated to attract families. If a youth poster contest was
held ahead of time (see above), winners could be recognized at the
fair.
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Offer a presentation for working parents – As part of
Drug-Free Work Week, community coalitions and neighborhood
organizations could offer to visit local workplaces and deliver a
“lunch and learn” presentation about strategies for preventing
underage drinking and other drug abuse among children.
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Promote workplace-based parenting prevention – With
appropriate resources, most drug-free workplace programs can easily
be expanded to incorporate education for parents—the vast majority
of whom work—about steps they can take to prevent youth alcohol and
drug abuse. Coalitions and neighborhood associations can use
Drug-Free Work Week as a “hook” to talk to local employers about
implementing or expanding the scope of their drug-free workplace
programs to include such information. Doing so should be an easy
“sell,” because it actually makes good business sense. When
employees are distracted by a child’s problematic behavior, it shows
at work.
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Advocate for state-wide drug-free workplace incentive programs
– The same message about drug-free workplace programs’ power to
prevent youth alcohol and drug abuse could also be communicated with
state officials during Drug-Free Work Week as a way to
promote state-wide incentive programs, such as workers’ compensation
premium discount programs, if your state doesn’t already have one.
To find out whether your state offers such a program, visit the
Working Partners Web site’s
state law directory.
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Feature Drug-Free Work Week in your newsletter –
Drug-Free Work Week also offers timely and fresh content if
community coalitions or neighborhood organizations have their own
publications. Articles can inform community members about the dates
and purpose of Drug-Free Work Week and encourage them to
approach their employers about participating.
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Partner with local businesses to distribute drug-free messages
– Community coalitions and neighborhood associations could
partner with local businesses in advance of or during Drug-Free
Work Week to distribute prevention messages to their employees
(for example, through a payroll insert) and/or patrons (for example,
through a flyer attached to pizza delivery boxes or placed into
grocery bags).
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Distribute drug-free workplace posters – Just before or
during Drug-Free Work Week is a great time to pay a quick
visit to local employers to provide free
drug-free workplace posters they can hang in employee break
areas or other locations that employees frequent. Doing so might
serve to start a larger discussion about what else employers can do
to help prevent substance abuse in their workplace and community.
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Reach out to local media – Drug-Free Work Week
presents an opportunity for community coalitions and neighborhood
organizations to increase their visibility through local TV, radio
and print media. Ideas include writing an op-ed piece or letter to
the editor about the important role drug-free workplaces play in
creating drug-free schools, families and communities or encouraging
local TV or radio news to run a feature on one or more local
employers observing the week.
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Develop a dedicated Drug-Free Workplace Web page on your Web site
– Drug-Free Work Week is a great time to unveil a special
Drug-Free Workplace Web page for local employers listing tools and
resources to help them understand related issues, such as those
offered on the
Working Partners Web site, and local sources of help for
employees who may have problems with alcohol and drugs.
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Drug-Free Work Week Tool Box - 
