{"id":50941,"date":"2015-02-21T12:14:48","date_gmt":"2015-02-21T12:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/?p=50941"},"modified":"2022-12-02T11:33:40","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T16:33:40","slug":"up-and-manage-a-drug-testing-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/blogs\/up-and-manage-a-drug-testing-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Set Up and Manage a Drug Testing Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Set Up and Manage a Drug Testing and Alcohol Testing Program<\/strong> – Substance Abuse Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many employers ask how to get started and what I do once I am set up for the drug and alcohol testing program.  The following is a brief summary of the steps involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers should first determine their needs and what they want to accomplish with drug and alcohol testing.  This is not often the case, many times we get a call and the employer says we need to start drug testing as soon as possible.  National Drug Screening can help a company start drug testing as soon as possible \u2013 yes we can set up a drug test to be done today if you call today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do however recommend some thought be put into your needs as an employer and what you want to accomplish with drug and alcohol testing.  This is typically done with the development of a Drug Free Workplace<\/a><\/strong> Policy.  A drug free workplace policy should provide the answers to questions regarding the drug testing program and very specifically what need to happen if someone tests positive.  A drug-free workplace policy forms the foundation for a drug-free workplace program; however, it is not the same as a drug-free workplace program.  Rather, it is one of five components.  In addition to a policy, a comprehensive drug-free workplace program includes supervisor training, employee education, employee assistance and drug testing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Drug Screening can provide assistance and write a drug free workplace policy and help you as an employer develop a comprehensive drug free workplace.  You can also do this yourself, a great resource to help you is the Drug-Free Workplace Policy Builder<\/strong> from the United States Department of Labor.  Another great resource is the Drug-Free Workplace Toolkit<\/strong> <\/a>available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  The mission of SAMHSA is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.  SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is important to determine up front if your company is regulated and required to do drug and alcohol testing under the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.  So typically we talk about DOT drug testing and Non-DOT drug testing.  For DOT drug testing the program is regulated and very few options.  For NON-DOT testing, State laws must be considered but also there are many variables in the types of testing and what panels to test for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One you are ready to start drug testing you will need an account for the drug testing which when using National Drug Screening this account will bundle services of specimen collection, lab testing and review and reporting of the result by a Medical Review Officer.  For DOT testing the drug test will be a five panel, for NON-DOT testing there are multiple panels available.  Here are some examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n