Drug Abuse Awareness for Crew & Staff in the Commercial Sector

Online Course Crafted To Raise Awareness Among the Crew & Staff of Commercial Cargo, Offshore Mobile Platforms & Ferries Regarding Alcohol & Drug-Related Issues

On commercial cargo vessels, ferries, and offshore platforms, ensuring a safe, professional, and compliant environment for crew and passengers is essential. Drug and alcohol abuse presents significant risks, threatening not only individual health and safety but also the reputation and operational efficiency of the vessel. In the close-quarters and high-pressure settings typical of these vessels, substance misuse can impair judgment, slow response times, and increase the risk of accidents, placing everyone on board in potential danger. Maintaining strict awareness and proactive prevention is key to safeguarding lives and ensuring smooth, reliable operations.

About the Course

Awareness of drug and alcohol policies, alongside education on abuse prevention, is vital for all commercial crew and staff members given the serious risks involved. This course equips crew with essential knowledge about the impacts of substance abuse, company policies, and practical strategies to maintain a safe, sober workplace. Tailored to the unique demands of the commercial sector where high standards of safety, professionalism, and discretion are always required, the course provides crew and staff with the skills to recognise and address substance-related issues. By fostering a culture of awareness and accountability, this training not only supports the well-being of all crew members and staff, but also reinforces operational safety and safeguards the company’s reputation.

Aims of the Course

This online course by VIRSEC is designed to increase awareness of the dangers and consequences of drug and alcohol abuse within the commercial sector, fostering a culture centred around safety, responsibility, and professionalism. By offering thorough training, the course enables crew members to identify signs of substance misuse, familiarise themselves with company policies, and take the necessary actions to maintain a secure, respectful environment for both passengers and fellow crew members.

Course Learning Objectives

The course consists of the following learning Objectives:

To gain an understanding of what drug abuse is, and the associated effects of drug abuse.
To be provided with an insight to identify if there is a potential drug problem onboard the vessel.
To gain an understanding of the safety implications involved.
To gain an understanding of the legal implications involved.
To gain an understanding of a Drugs Policy.
To understand how the Learner can assist in the combating of the drugs menace.
To understand Company Policy.
To understand how education can assist in the combating of the drugs menace.
To understand how illegal drugs and substances are covered in Contracts.
To be made aware of the implementation of drug screening and testing.

Course Subjects

The course includes the following subjects:

Drug Abuse
Safety Implications
The Legal Implications
The Benefits of a Drug Policy
Combating the Menace of Drugs
Legal Considerations
Methods of Drug Testing
What to do in an Emergency

Target Audience

Anyone working on, or frequenting commercial vessels often, should possess a good understanding of the risks associated with the use of, illegal transportation of, and effects of illegal drugs and substances which have been brought onto the ship.

Course Duration

This online course will take up to 1 hour to complete depending on the learner’s reading speed.

Course Certificate

On successful completion of this online course, the learner will be able to download a VIRSEC Certificate of Course Completion in PDF Format. This certificate can be also found under the Certificates tab on the Learner Portal. Once printed off, the Learner should sign the certificate in the space provided.

Bulk Purchases

Book your course at VIRSEC, where you can learn about Drug Abuse Awareness for Crew & Staff in the Commercial Sector. If you have any questions about the course or any of our other Maritime Courses, please contact us to inquire about bulk purchasing and associated discounts. You can also call us on +44 (0)161 763 4427 and ask for Olivia or Cathy who will happily assist you.