Topics of Discussion regarding SAMHSA
What Is SAMHSA
The Department of Health and Human Services in the United States is home to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA seeks to mitigate the detrimental consequences that drug abuse and mental illness have on American society. It attempts to aid in developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles with a lower risk of substance misuse and mental illness while helping those afflicted with these diseases have worthwhile lives.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act established the organisation as a United States agency in 1992—health and Human Services Department (HHS). The company’s main office is in Rockville, MD.
By supporting efficient substance addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, SAMHSA aims to lessen the negative effects of substance misuse on American communities.
SAMHSA sets the laboratory requirements for workplace drug testing.
What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can lead to addiction, which affects brain chemistry and makes it hard for people to stop using drugs or alcohol even when they know it’s harmful. Addiction involves using a substance compulsively despite the negative consequences in one’s life.
The Significance of SAMHSA In Workplace Drug Testing
Employers frequently consult SAMHSA for information on workplace drug testing. For employers looking to create substance misuse policies and procedures, particularly those about drug testing, the government releases guidance. Moreover, SAMHSA provides an online tool that aids businesses in assessing their current programs and creating new ones in response to their requirements.
This resource can help you choose the right testing procedure for your organisation, whether it’s an initial pre-employment test or random drug testing throughout employment. The tool also provides information about how long you should wait before allowing employees back into your workplace after they’ve tested positive for drugs or alcohol at work.
The SAMHSA website provides information about drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behaviours, including:
- Drugs and Alcohol: Information about drugs and alcohol, including their effects on your body, brain, behaviour, and relationships; why some people use them; how they affect your work; how much is too much; how they affect your health; how they can cause problems at work; treatment options; and more.
- Mental Health: Information about mental health issues such as depression and anxiety; signs that someone may need help with these issues; treatment options for many different types of disorders; tips for those dealing with these issues themselves or helping someone else who has them; and more.
When It Comes to Workplace Drug Testing, What You Should Know
Drug Testing Explained:
Drug testing is used by employers, law enforcement agencies, and others to identify people who have used drugs or alcohol. Drug testing can occur in many ways, including urine, oral fluid blood, and hair drug testing. These types of tests are used to determine whether someone has recently consumed drugs. Current drug tests used for workplace testing do not prove any impairment.
Drug Testing in the Workplace:
There are many reasons why an employer might want to conduct drug tests on their employees. For example, if an employee injures themself on the job after using drugs or alcohol at home, the employer may want to ensure that all employees are safe while working on the job site. Another reason an employer might want to conduct drug tests is that they want their employees to be productive while working and not distracted by outside influences like drugs and alcohol. Employers can also use drug testing as an incentive for their employees to stay clean and sober while at work so that they will get promoted more quickly or receive raises more often than those who do not pass their drug tests consistently.
The Following Should Be Kept in Mind by Employees Regarding Drug Testing:
- They have the right to refuse a test if it isn’t deemed necessary by their employer (for example, if they have not been involved in an accident). The employee does not need to provide any reason for refusing the test; however, if they refuse without giving a reason, they could potentially lose their job if their employer determines that there was no acceptable reason to reject the test.
- Even if an employee tests positive for drugs after refusing to do the test (for example, because their employer deems no other cause existed for denying), they still have rights against unlawful termination or discrimination.
In the workplace, drug testing is a frequent practice since employers use it to ensure that their employees are not under the influence of drugs and alcohol while on the job. Testing also helps to reduce accidents and injuries, as well as prevent the loss of productivity.
Kinds of drug tests are listed below:
Urinalysis: This type of drug test is performed using a urine sample from an individual and checks for traces of illicit substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.
Oral Fluid: Using saliva or oral fluid as the specimen for drug testing gives a very recent lookback period for the use of any drugs that test positive. Oral fluid recently in 2023 became authorized for DOT drug testing.
Hair follicle test: This type of test checks for evidence of drug use within the last 7 to 90 days. It can detect drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, and opiates.
Blood test: It is used as an initial step for detecting current intoxication or recent usage of drugs or alcohol by an employee to determine whether they are fit to work. Blood testing for drugs is invasive and expensive and not often used for employment drug testing.
Three Main Reasons for Employment Drug Testing
- Pre-Employment Screening: Pre-employment screening is typically performed on applicants before they are hired. Pre-employment screening aims to ensure that all candidates are qualified for the job and have no issues that could affect their ability to perform their duties.
- Random Testing: Employees are not given any prior notice or warnings regarding random testing. It is used to spot workers who might be misusing drugs or alcohol or to spot abuse tendencies in particular groups of workers. Random testing is frequently a requirement for employment in some occupations, like those of law enforcement officials. For high-risk professions like pilots, many organisations also have rules requiring random drug tests.
- Post-Accident Testing: Post-accident testing is performed after an accident occurs at work; for example, if an employee has been in an auto accident or has been involved in a workplace accident, causing injury to another person or property damage. Post-accident testing is usually conducted within 48 hours after the incident occurs and should be performed by trained medical professionals administering drug tests.
The Benefits of Employment Drug Testing
- It can help reduce substance abuse at work and in society.
- It provides an opportunity for employers to intervene and help employees who are using drugs and alcohol. This intervention may be needed because they have financial problems, marital problems, or other issues that may be causing them to use drugs or alcohol excessively.
- It can ensure that employees are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work, increasing productivity and decreasing job site accidents.
- Drug testing can protect workers from having their employees' private medical information disclosed by their employers, who must keep such information confidential under federal law (HIPAA).
- It allows employers to ensure that they are hiring qualified individuals who have passed all required background checks and drug tests before being hired for a job position in their company or business organization.
