Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 22/02) - In times of boom, almost every sector of the economy benefits, but along with the benefits, come the negative social impact of boom times.

Industry is helping brace for those impacts with some innovative programs like what's offered by Ed Secondiak.

After 24 years with the RCMP drug enforcement team, Secondiak says, he knows a lot about the drug trade.

"I have never smoked marijuana, but I've bought lots of it," Secondiak said.

When he retired, Secondiak started E.C.S. Safety Services, which offers drug and alcohol testing, substance abuse policy development and drug education and training. When he first started out, he was doing some work in the North during the last boom.

"I used to come to the drill ships in the Beaufort Sea in the late '70s and early '80s to give drug education presentations," he said.

Secondiak is on a contract from Safety Health and Respect for the Environment, a group supported by Beaufort Delta oil and gas producers to standardize safety and environmental issues in the workplace.

He's contracted to set up a drug and alcohol testing program and drug education programs in the oil and gas industry.

"The oil companies felt that they have a responsibility to ensure a safe workplace," he said.

Along with the testing, he said, there is a responsibility to follow through with counselling and rehabilitation.

"If we're going to have drug and alcohol testing, we also have to have a commitment to be involved the communities with drug education programs," he said.

On July 10, the Canadian Human Rights Commission issued a revised policy prohibiting random drug testing.

The commission criticized random drug testing as flawed.

It said it only shows a person's previous exposure to drugs not whether a person is fit to work. Alcohol testing is allowed for safety sensitive work, according to the commission.

"When a person fails a test, there is a perception that they have a disability, so they consider that discrimination," Secondiak said.

However, the ruling only applies to federally regulated companies and Crown corporations. Federally regulated workplaces include those involving telecommunications, cross-border trucking and federal departments.

"Oil companies and contractors aren't affected by the Canadian Human Rights Commission," he said.

If someone tests positive for a drug on the job, they are removed from the site and suspended without pay and the employee is directed to see an addictions counsellor for assessment and is allowed to come back for another test.

"As an employer, I don't want to lose you," he said. "I've invested a lot of time and money in you and I don't want to lose that investment."

He provides all the contractors with a list of substance abuse counsellors in the NWT to pass along to their employees.

He feels a positive pro-active approach to the issue is best for the all involved.

"The spinoff is that it helps the whole community," he said.

He will be making regular stops in the Beaufort Delta and has plans to visit schools and business groups.

"If anyone wants a presentation, I'll do it. If I can't do it this month, I'll do it next month," Secondiak said.

With cheaper and more potent drugs on the street, the Senate saying marijuana should be legalized and the Human Right Commission banning drug testing, Secondiak says the job gets daunting at times, but the job does come with rewards.

"I constantly get 'thank yous' from people," he said. "Whether they are recovering alcoholics or ex-drug users or spouses or workers where things are going better."

"It gives you a good feeling; that maybe you are doing some good."