Create Drug-free Employees: How to Start a Drug Testing Program at Your Workplace

Creating a drug-free environment in your workplace is not only a matter of discretion. It’s also well-supported by law. It aims to make sure that workers will not only be able to be assets of the company, but they will also be safe to work with other people.

Today, it’s already possible to start with their drug testing program. Nevertheless, there are some requirements and things that have to be met before you can be assured that it’s going to be successful. Here are some guidelines that you can follow on how to start a drug testing program in your workplace:

1. Develop well-written and clear workplace policies. Keep in mind that not all employees will be happy to be subjected to a drug testing program. For them, it’s going to be invasion of their privacy. However, you can make it mandatory if you want to create clearly stated workplace policies. Make sure that everyone, even new employees, will be fully aware of it. Make it part of the workplace procedures to include it during orientation.

2. Ensure that the drug testing program will be fully supported by the heads and managers of the company. You need all-out support from different heads of the organization when it comes to your drug testing program. This is because their opinion and decisions will greatly matter and affect those of their subordinates. It’s also easier for you to convince them to go through the drug testing program when you have the heads-up of the leaders.

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3. Train your employees on the danger of substance abuse. Proper dissemination of information is one of the integral components when it comes to how to start a drug testing program in your workplace. Besides including it during employee orientation, you can conduct refresher courses and seminars about drug abuse. You can also invite spokespersons, place notices and drug-related news in bulletin boards or in company newsletters.

4. Provide disciplinary actions to those who are found to be using drugs. Workplace policies should not remain on paper. Ensure that it definitely bites, by providing sanctions to employees who are found to be guilty of drug abuse. The kind of punishment will depend, however, on the severity of the violation committed. The most important thing is you can let the employees know that you mean what you say and say what you mean.

5. Be a role model to everyone. Be the first person to undergo your drug testing program. Live an active and healthy lifestyle. This may never completely eradicate drug abuse in your office, but it can definitely encourage them to follow suit, especially if they can see the positive effects of staying away from drugs.

The main goal of the drug testing program is not only to get rid of habitual users of drugs. It is also identifying them and giving them the necessary help before they eventually succumb to it. They should be able to overcome their drug abuse, so they can be better-performing employees and individuals.