Each Company looking to start a Drug Free Workplace Program should begin with a formal written drug testing policy.

A Company’s drug testing policy should be as detailed as possible and meet all state and federal requirements that may apply to said business. The resources offered below are not all-inclusive but will help a business get started:

Q: Does your state require a notice to employees prior to conducting testing?

Q: Who will manage the policy, including the reporting of drug and alcohol testing results?

Q: What type of testing will be conducted?

• Random
• Reasonable suspicion
• Post-accident
• Return-to-duty
• Pre-employment
• Follow-up

Q: Who will be covered under the policy?

Q: How will your organization train your employees and supervisors?

Q: Will your company utilize a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to review positive tests?

Q: Will your company terminate or rehabilitate?

Q: How will you manage your random testing, including the frequency?

Don’t let the details bog you down. The Council on Alcohol and Drugs has a simple drug free workplace program available for you! Get your program started quickly:

There are many reasons why a company will consider becoming a drug free workplace. They could be required to become drug free due to federal funding or after a state contract is awarded. They could be interested in improving company safety. They could be simply looking to take advantage of a pro-employer law offered in their state which affords a favorable discount on workers’ compensation premiums. They could have a decision maker who was impacted personally by substance abuse who wants to make an impact at his/her organization. They could be considering the value associated with letting their customers, vendors and employees know that they are drug free to enhance sales and productivity. Whatever the reason for becoming drug free, every company should be applauded, in advance, for the impact they will have on their local community!

• If a local city made it a requirement for all new businesses applying for a business license to become drug free, in a short amount of time that city will see a reduction in crime and elevated community curb appeal. Until every city/town in the U.S. implements a drug free workplace requirement, each company needs to do their part to prevent substance abuse and this starts with a Drug Free Workplace Program. Commit to improving your community-become drug free today!

When designing your drug testing policy it is also important to include definitions that are specific to your organization.

What does your company consider an accident? What alcohol limit will your company consider detrimental? Are there any specific rules for employees who are “on call” after-hours? Is your policy clear in defining your company stance on prescription drug abuse, including using prescription drugs not prescribed to the individual using them? An employee needs to understand the consequences associated with taking a spouse or friend’s prescription drug-a drug that is not LEGALLY prescribed to that employee! Does your organization have any rules for an employee possessing drug paraphernalia on property? What happens if an employee refuses a test including not cooperating with the testing process? Does an employee have to report a drug or alcohol conviction while employed?

The above summary is meant to be thought provoking and is not meant to scare a company away from becoming drug free. The Council on Alcohol and Drugs is a 44 year old non-profit organization that prides itself on education, prevention and intervention programs. The Council is a highly sought after resource for managing a cost-effective drug free workplace and is here to help any company take the steps to become drug free. Let the Council help guide you and take advantage of the years of knowledge behind its Drug Free Workplace Membership Program.

The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Membership Program is the best resource for your company. Membership includes access to an online customer portal that includes all the tools needed to launch and maintain an effective drug free workplace. The membership portal is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Membership benefits include:

• Substance abuse policy
• Supervisor training
• Employee education
• State certification assistance
• Random pool management
• Drug testing kits
• Drug testing referrals for mobile and fixed facility collection sites, nationwide
• Online repository of vital forms required for compliance
• Multi-state options available
• Prevention provider assistance
• ADA compliance assistance

The Drug Free Workplace Team at the Council invites you to call upon us to help you make in impact on your community by becoming drug free. Our program is simple and cost-effective by design. Our goal is to impact as many communities in the U.S. by helping business become drug free!

Medical Marijuana an Emerging Challenge for Employers

New state laws are causing confusion among employees and job applicants and giving HR professionals headaches about what they can and cannot enforce. Some also worry that the state laws may make it more difficult to find future workers who meet their organizations’ drug-testing criteria. About 9 percent of the full-time, adult American workforce used illegal drugs at least once in the previous month, according to the results of the federal 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. For young adults, the numbers are higher—double that for marijuana alone.

To date, the courts have weighed in on the side of employers’ right to test. After all, federal law still outlaws marijuana possession and use. “Our advice to employees is to stay the course with a comprehensive drug testing policy which is as detailed as possible and meets all state and federal requirements. Marijuana is illegal and employers have a duty to prevent marijuana use in the workplace.

Learn about modern Marijuana Potency

[video_youtube video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWy-RkET9Co” width=”480″ height=”360″]

Take the next step to becoming Drug Free NOW!

Fill out the form today and one of our Drug Free Workplace specialists will contact you to assist you with setting up your Drug Free Workplace program.

If you have an immediate question about implementing a Drug Testing Policy, please contact our dedicated Drug Free Workplace specialist.