Exploring the impact of work and the workplace on alcohol and drug use

There is growing evidence of the role workplaces play in shaping alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related behaviours and how to intervene to prevent or minimise problems.

This presentation outlines patterns and prevalence of AOD use among workers; workplace factors that can facilitate or exacerbate AOD use; the role played by workplace cultures; and evidence-based strategies to ameliorate AOD problem. Attention will be paid to the social and emotional impact of COVID-19 on workers. Emphasis will be placed on effective and practical intervention options.

Speaker Bio:

Ann Roche is Professor and Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, at Flinders University.  Previously she was the Director of the Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre at the University of Queensland.  She has over 40 years’ experience in public health and has worked as a researcher, educator, and policy analyst and has held academic posts at the University of Sydney, the University of Newcastle and Queensland University.  For the past 35 years her professional activities have focused exclusively on alcohol and drug issues and her research goals are to improve responses to alcohol- and other drug-related problems through innovative organisational and behaviour change initiatives with a particular focus on research translation and dissemination. She has a major interest in the translation of research findings into practice and in forming collaborations to support evidence based best practice across sectors.