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Electrical Industry Drug-Free “Alliance”. ScreenSafe Inc . Program Administrators 877-SCREEN-9 877-727-3369. Our National Substance Abuse Problem. The Social Costs of illicit drug abuse add up to $110 billion each year
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Electrical Industry Drug-Free “Alliance” ScreenSafe Inc. Program Administrators 877-SCREEN-9 877-727-3369
Our National Substance Abuse Problem • The Social Costs of illicit drug abuse add up to $110 billion each year • U.S. drug users spend substantially more than $63.2 billion annually to purchase drugs • There are more than 1 million drug arrests each year -- half of all arrestees test positive for illicit drug use
Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse: Consequences • 1.4 million arrests for driving while intoxicated • 4 in 10 fatal motor vehicle accidents involve alcohol
Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse: Consequences • Among employed adults, the highest rates of current drug use and heavy drinking are reported by; • White, non-Hispanic males • 18-25 years old
Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse: Prevalence According to the 2009 Household survey, 66.6 % of those who used illegal drugs in the past month are employed.
Illicit Drug Use by Industry • By occupation, the highest rates of current drug use and heavy drinking were reported by those employed as • Food preparation workers, waiters, waitresses and bartenders (19%) • Construction workers (14%) • Service occupations (13%) • Transportation/material moving workers (10%).
Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse: Consequences • Employees testing positive on pre-employment drug tests at Utah Power & Light were 5 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident than those who tested negative.
Postal Service Study • Results of an extensive U.S. Postal Service study indicate that employees who tested positive on their pre-employment drug test; • 77% more likely to be discharged within the first three years of employment • absent from work 66% more often than those who tested negative.
Postal Service Study • Had the U.S. Postal Service screened out all drug-positive postal service applicants during the time of the study, the authors estimated this would have saved approximately $52 million within two years.
Alliance Goals and Objectives • Recognition of the problem; • Development of a comprehensive policy; • Educate Participants; • Promote the Member Assistance Program, MAP; • Implement a fair and respectful drug testing program that conforms to Federal drug testing standards.
The Policy • Based on the Portland and Northwest Indiana’s drug-free workplace programs. • Indiana’s program started in 1989 and includes the unions and construction companies in the business roundtable. • The Portland program started in 1989 with 1,000 and has grown to include 7,000 in three states.
Policy Requirements and Prohibitions • All Participants will be selected randomly at least once over a 2 year period through the 50% pool. • Participants who complete the testing process will not be returned to the 50% pool. • Every Participant will be in an ongoing 10% pool.
Policy Requirements and Prohibitions • The use of alcohol or drugs by employees during working hours on the job site or on company property (including company vehicles) is absolutely prohibited. • Participants are required to submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with this policy.
Policy Requirements and Prohibitions • No participant will be tested for alcohol unless a reasonable suspicion exists that the person is under the influence of alcohol, or they are involved in an OSHA recordable on the job accident. • Participants subject to this policy continue to have access to the usual protections provided as part of their union membership.
Testing Procedures-Reasonable suspicion/for cause • A supervisor calls Screensafe for paperwork and procedure. • A supervisor must confront you. • A supervisor must drive you to the test site. • A supervisor must find a way home for you. • The designated representative is notified of result. • If a participant is negative any lost wages are reimbursed. • If the participant is positive you are considered non-compliant.
Testing Procedures • Names picked from the random pool. • ScreenSafe contacts referral/contractors to find out where members are working. • Designated (Company or Union) Representative called and informed to expect a fax regarding participants being tested.
Testing Procedures • Forms sent to Designated Representative: • Testing Procedures for the Electrical Industry Drug Free Workplace Policy • List of Collection Sites • By the end of the business day, the Designated Representative informs participant that his/her name has been selected.
Testing Procedures • Participants given one hour off with regular wages and fringe benefits paid by Employer (excludes accelerated testing). • Participants are given until end of next day to take test.
At The Collection Site • The Alliance Drug Test Information and Instruction Sheet • Authorization for Consent to Drug Analysis and Authorization of Release of Results for Testing • Release of Information Signed for Laboratory, MRO, MAP and ScreenSafe
At The Collection Site • Participant signs consent forms • Collection Site technician faxes Consent and Release form back to ScreenSafe.
Testing Procedures – Safeguards • Urine samples separated into two containers at time of collection(in case you disagree with the result the SAME specimen will be tested). • Other forms of testing for participants with confirmed medical conditions • Blind testing
Testing Procedures - Safeguards • Integrity of specimens insured by utilization of one collection procedure at all sites • All labs have DHHS certification • All positives confirmed by GCMS(Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) • MRO verifies all questionable non-negative results
Testing Procedures • If the test is negative, no further action is taken. • If the test is positive for any reason, the Medical Review Officer (MRO) calls participant to validate reason for positive. • If the MRO can not reach the participant they are considered non-compliant • If no valid reason found, participant is non-compliant.
Medical Review Office • Verifies your prescription • It must be your prescription and must have been filled before the date of your test. • If your prescription is verified by the MRO a negative result is reported out. • Any participant can call the MRO to try to verify a result. • Any participant can re-test the ORIGINAL specimen at a substantial cost. If the re-tested specimen is negative the participant will be refunded.
Policy Violations • Policy Violations can include; • Having a positive test result. • Failing to take a test as scheduled • Failing to keep a scheduled appointment with MAP or • Failing to participate in and/or complete the assigned treatment or education program
Policy Violations • Policy Violations can include (continued); • Substituting another substance or specimen • Providing a dilute specimen(an observed drop will then be necessary)if the second specimen is dilute it is a violation. • Providing a urine specimen which shows the presence of an adulterant
Consequences • Upon a first notice of non-compliance; • Participant will be referred to the MAP for evaluation • Participant must complete recommended treatment or education program • Participant will be returned to work prior to program completion • The participant will be placed in a one year accelerated testing program.
Consequences • ScreenSafe will let the Designated Representative know that the participant is unavailable. • ScreenSafe will let the referral hall know that the participant is unavailable. • Participants will receive written notices confirming their test results and providing them with information to assist them in returning to compliance.
Consequences • Upon a second notice of unavailability; • Participant will be referred to the MAP for evaluation • Participant must complete recommended treatment or education program • Participant may be returned to work prior to program completion • The participant will be placed in a one year accelerated testing program.
Consequences • Upon a third notice of unavailability within a two-year period from the preceding (second); • Participant will be referred to the MAP for evaluation • Participant must complete recommended treatment or education program • Participant WILL NOT be returned to work prior to program completion • The participant will be placed in a one year accelerated testing program. • The participant will be required to sign a "Last Chance Agreement" between participant and the Alliance.
Returning and Continuing Compliance • Follow-up testing • Following MAP recommendations If you do not finish the recommendations of the Map you will be considered NON-COMPLIANT.
Testing Occasions - Portability • These provisions will apply to those individuals working under the portability rules. • All traveling craftpersons will be subject to: • Initial testing • Random testing – 10% pool
Testing Occasions - Portability • Craftsperson will be allowed to report to work immediately after providing a urine specimen for testing. • A positive test for any policy violation will result in immediate termination from company. • A Craftsperson will be out of that jurisdiction for a period of 30 days upon returning to that jurisdiction the Craftsperson must take a negative drop.
Testing Occasions - Portability Participants who are called to work assignments that are anticipated to last three (3) days or less are subject to the Alliance drug-free workplace policy, but may be exempt from the drug-testing program.
Implementation of Program • Decide upon a “Helping Program/EAP” • Register all contractors • Identify “Designated Representatives” at all the contractor sites. • Enroll all contractor employees in program. • Participant education • Supervisory training • Initiate testing