Substance Misuse and Stress: Counselor Warns of Hidden Threats to Workplace Wellness

The rising use of cannabis edibles and other substances among young people is spilling over into workplaces in Antigua and Barbuda, creating hidden risks to productivity and safety, school counsellor Harriet Warner has warned.

Speaking at the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) forum on workplace stress and mental health, Warner said the culture around drug use is changing, with students increasingly turning to gummies, brownies and infused treats rather than smoking.

She cautioned that these habits often follow young people into their jobs, impairing their performance and endangering colleagues.

Warner explained that substance misuse not only affects personal health but also undermines workplace reliability.

“How do you respond after a night hangover from half a gummy?” she asked, noting that employees in safety-sensitive roles cannot function effectively if their judgment and alertness are compromised.

She linked the issue to broader workplace stress, arguing that unresolved conflicts, long hours and generational tensions already weigh heavily on workers’ mental health. Substance misuse, she said, compounds these pressures and creates an added burden for employers and co-workers.

Warner urged organisations to take the problem seriously by developing wellness programmes, educating staff on the risks, and providing support systems that encourage healthier coping strategies.

She stressed that mental health must be seen as inseparable from overall workplace safety and productivity.

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