The U.S. Dept. of Labor is reminding interested employers that the “true essence” of Drug-Free Work Week (October 19-25) are the grassroots activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of working drug free and encouraging workers with alcohol and drug problems to seek help.

DOL says that any business can inform employees about available community alcohol and drug treatment resources; if the organization has an employee assistance program, Drug-Free Work Week “presents a perfect opportunity to remind workers of its availability and the types of services offered.” Organizations without an EAP can still share information about available help—through a hospital, local health department or stand-alone substance abuse treatment center, says DOL. The agency offers a Substance Abuse Treatment Locator, and links to self-help programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. “Easy and anonymous ways to promote such resources include worksite displays, payroll inserts, printed flyers, internal newsletters and company intranets,” DOL says.

To learn more ways to observe Drug-Free Work Week, see the list of ideas for employers and employees and community coalitions and neighborhood organizations.

Drug-Free Work Week is led by the DOL’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program.