Drug Free  
Workplace  
 
For further assistance with establishing your Drug-Free Workplace , please contact the Technology Assistance SBDC at 214.860.5709.

Statistics show that most adults who use illegal drugs are employed. With small businesses employing over half of the U.S. workforce, alcohol and drug use is a small business issue.


Effects of Workplace Drug Use

Drug use in the workplace can result in:
  • Increased costs for business
  • Higher absenteeism
  • More workplace accidents
  • Increased disciplinary actions
  • Higher employee turnover
  • Higher employee safety and health risks
Benefits of a Drug-Free Workplace Program

Implementing a drug-free workplace program can result in:
  • Increased awareness of dangers of illegal drug use
  • Prevention of illegal drug use and abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol
  • Reduced Business Costs
  • Increased workplace morale and safety
Strategies for Small Business

A drug-free workplace program should consist of:
  • A Written drug policy
  • Drug & alcohol abuse prevention training
  • Drug Testing
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Continuing Education
A Written Drug Policy

The policy must include:
  • A clear statement of expectations for workplace behavior;
  • Prohibitions against reporting to work or working under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol;
  • Prohibitions against the use or possession of illegal drugs in the workplace; and
  • The consequences of violating those expectations and prohibitions
Drug Testing
The program requires illegal drug testing. An analysis is conducted by a drug testing laboratory certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or approved by the College of American Pathologists. A medical review officer, a licensed physician with knowledge of substance abuse disorders, reviews each positive test result. The medical review officer cannot be an employee of the small business in which the tested employee works nor can he/she be an employee or person with a financial interest in the laboratory for which the illegal drug test results are being reviewed.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Training
Each employee must receive at least two hours of training and additional voluntary drug and alcohol abuse prevention training must be available for employees who are parents.

Employee Assistance Program
The program must provide access to an employee assistance program, including confidential assessment, referral and short-term problem resolution.

Continuing Education
The program must provide continuing alcohol and drug abuse prevention education.

For more information

Government Agencies
U.S. Small Business Administration www.sba.gov/news/drugfree
Dept of Labor, Working Partners - www.dol.gov/dol/workingpartners.htm
Drug Enforcement Administration - www.usdoj.gov/dea/
Justice Information Center (NCJRS) - www.ncjrs.org/

Non-Profit Organizations
Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace - www.drugfreeworkplace.org/
Partners for a Drug-Free America - www.drugfreeamerica.org/

Clearinghouses and WWW Lists
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information (NCAIDI) - www.health.org/

The Drug-Free Workplace contact is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA’s cooperation does not constitute or imply its endorsement of any opinions, products, and/or services. The Small Business Development Center programs listed above are joint efforts of the Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development, a division of the Dallas County Community College District and the U.S. Small Business Administration. They are partially funded by the North Texas SBDC under Cooperative Agreement by the U.S. Small Business Administration though such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors’ or participants’ opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products or services. Special arrangements for the handicapped will be made when requested in advance. Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College District without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex or disability.