SPONSORED BY: DRUG TESTING 101: CONDENSED Jeff Sims, C-SAPA, C-SI Past President, Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association President, a’ TEST consultants, inc.
OVERVIEW 1. The Drug Testing Industry 2. Why drug test? 3. How and When do You Test? 4. Specimen Types: Traditional vs Alternative 5. Drug Testing Panels: Not one size fits all! 6. Validity Testing and Adulterant Products 7. Reporting Requirements 8. Current Federally Mandated Programs 9. Pending Drug Testing Legislation and Current Industry Issues 10. Questions and Answer
1. THE DRUG TESTING INDUSTRY
DRUG TESTING INDUSTRY PLAYERS AND THEIR ROLE Laboratories Third-party administrators (TPAs) and background screening retailers Collection sites and collectors Medical Review Officers Manufacturers / Distributors
2. WHY DO COMPANIES DRUG TEST?
HOW DID WE GET TO THIS POINT? Most aggressive actions occurred since the late 1980’s: - The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 (directed U.S. Secretary of Labor to initiate efforts to address the issue) - President Reagan’s Executive Order 12564, Drug-Free Federal Workplace (made it a condition of employment to refrain from using illegal drugs) - Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (required federal contractors and grantees to have drug-free workplaces) - Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 (establish grant programs that assist small businesses in developing drug-free workplaces) - Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991 (required transportation industry employers to conduct alcohol and drug testing for employees in “safety sensitive” positions) It created a model for non-regulated employers now follow.
THE U.S. DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEM In 2006, estimated 20.4 million Americans were current illicit drug users, which is a rate of 8% among all Americans. No significant changes in recent years. About 57 million people, or more than one-fifth (23.0 %) of the population age 12 and over, participated in binge drinking (having five or more drinks one the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days).
DRUG ABUSERS AS EMPLOYEES More likely to be involved in an accident and file a workers’ compensation claim More likely to quit or get fired More likely to steal from workplace More likely to miss work More likely to be in a confrontation Less productive
THE IMPACT ON SAFETY Substance abusers are: 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident 5 times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim As many as 50% of all workers’ compensation claims involve substance abuse
THE IMPACT ON SAFETY 80% of those injured in “serious” drug-related accidents at work are not the drug abusing employees… but innocent co-workers and others.
BOTTOM LINE On average it cost an employer almost $ $ per substance abusing employee
5 KEY COMPONENTS A comprehensive drug-free workplace program includes: 1. Policy 2. Supervisor training 3. Employee education 4. Employee assistance 5. Drug testing (Alcohol testing)
3. HOW AND WHEN DO YOU TEST?
HOW TO TEST? Traditional laboratory based urine testing using: Screen Confirmation Alternative specimen Rapid result or also known as POCT using professional collectors Medical review officer verification
When to Tests Pre-Employment Random Post-Accident Reasonable Cause/Suspicion Return-to-Duty Follow-Up
4. SPECIMEN TYPES: TRADITIONAL VS ALTERNATIVE
SPECIMEN TYPES Which specimen meets your needs? Urine (lab and rapid result analysis) Hair (on-site collection; lab analysis required) Oral Fluids (rapid result and lab analysis) Sweat Testing (rapid result and lab analysis) Blood Testing (lab analysis)
SPECIMEN TYPES Urine? Legally sound Federally endorsed Most common Invasive Subject to adulteration Split Testing
ALTERNATIVE SPECIMENS Hair? Window of 90 days minus recent 7-10 days Legally still being tested Lacks federal endorsement About 1-2% usage Invasive Scientifically questionable? Pre-employment tool
ALTERNATIVE SPECIMENS Oral Fluid? Window hours Limited legal exposure Getting federal endorsements (alcohol only) Least invasive Comparable to blood Adulteration resistant “Under the influence” indicator
5.DRUG TESTING PANELS AND PRICE: NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL!
FEDERALLY MANDATED TESTING PANEL Marijuana Cocaine Opiates Amphetamines Phencyclidine (PCP) The primary drugs of abuse
ADDITIONAL DRUGS BEING TESTING Hydromorphone Oxycodone Oxymorphone Hydrocodone Propoxyphene Ecstasy Benzodiazepines Barbiturates Methadone
6. VALIDITY TESTING AND ADULTERANT PRODUCTS
ADULTERATED, SUBSTITUTED SPECIMEN Internet provides a list of suppliers with information on beating drug, alcohol or hair testing Bleach, soap, Visine, other substances Purging with water, other liquids “Rapid” on-site drug test are the most vulnerable Innovative Resources, Inc.
SPONSORED BY: ADULTERANTS
7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
FEDERAL VS NON FEDERAL TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE REPORT If it is a Federally mandated test (This would include US DOT) a. Must receive certifying scientist signed copy b. Must have MRO copy of CCF Non Federal? Any other requirements? a. State Laws (Arkansas Law Rule 36, Act 750) b. Safe Harbor
TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS Typical Reporting: 1. Web 2. Text message with reference to web 3. Fax 4. Mail (yuck!) 5. Phone (yuckier!)
BACK OFFICE SUPPORT APPS
STORAGE OF RESULTS Subject to audit and must be stored in a secure environment Must maintain in accordance with state or federal requirements Under federal rules, subject to release and must be forwarded upon termination of clients agreement to new MRO (FAA example)
8. CURRENT FEDERALLY MANDATED PROGRAMS
REGULATORY SCOPE OF WHO IS IMPACTED THROUGH US DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRYDOT MODE# EMPLOYERS# EMPLOYEES HighwayFMCSA650,00010,941,000 RailroadFRA65097,000 AviationFAA7,200525,000 TransitFTA2,600250,000 PipelinePHMSA2,450190,000 MaritimeUSCG -DHS12,000132,000 TOTAL674,90012,135,000
WHO ELSE IS FEDERALLY MANDATED? Nuclear Regulatory Commission Department of Defense NASA Transportation Security Administration And other federal agencies covered under the Drug- Free Workplace Act of What’s on the horizon????? Don’t rule out new safety sensitive industry groups (electricians, construction, miners, etc..)
9. PENDING DRUG TESTING LEGISLATION AND CURRENT INDUSTRY ISSUES
MANDATORY POSITIVE DRUG TEST REPORTING TO STATES Several states have created databases Specific to commercial drivers license Result transmission straight from the MRO and employer, or severe penalties Positive alcohol test, employer reports Great idea, but why don’t they work at this point?
NATIONAL DRIVER DATABASE Congress funded a study in 1999 Report released to in 2004 In early 2007, FOXNews Minnesota 5 Collection sites Inspected Congress is involved, GAO investigation with testimony by SAPAA, ATA, IOOA, FMCA, ODAPC, Oregon State Police Working with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to tighten programs
NEW ACTION ITEMS Revisit the Drug Testing Integrity Act Implementation of the Driver Database, but include a drug testing repository Have MRO’s, Consortia, and TPA’s do the reporting Hire more agents to inspect employers AND collection sites New NPRM’s issued, by SAMHSA, US DOT, and operating modes.
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