How to Use Free Government Resources While Starting a Workplace Drug Testing Program
If you are concerned about the cost associated with beginning your drug testing program or if you’re worried that your business just will not have the necessary resources to start the program off on the right start, you can look towards the federal government for assistance in obtaining useful resources.
Types of Resources Available
As part of your program, you will undoubtedly need to provide for a drug awareness program. While local substance abuse programs may volunteer to do a presentation for your company, this may not always be the case. The federal government through their Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can provide you with many educational tools, such as videos, posters, fact sheets, and more. These resources can be used during your presentations or can be used as references for workers who have questions regarding your policy.
Treatment Center Locators
Whether you are considering implementing an Employee Assistance Program that may include counseling and treatment for workers testing positive for drugs or simply want to be able to pass along this vital information to workers requesting it, the federal program offers a web site that can assist you. Through the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator, you can identify programs that have been approved by the state and often by the federal government in your area for these purposes.
Referrals
While SAMHSA may be able to offer some services, they will not have all the answers you are seeking when implementing such a program. However, they are more familiar with the bureaucracy of the Health Services department and can provide you with referrals to the different organizations which may be able to assist you. This is a completely free service that can be extremely helpful if you are looking for medical or legal advice on this issue.
Grant Information
Grants are sometimes available to help cover the costs of providing a drug free workplace. However, the competition for them can be enormous, and they are often not well-publicized. By becoming a member of the SAMHSA network, you and your company will be notified when these grants become available so you can complete the process and, hopefully, earn funds that will assist you in implementing the policy and the testing on a larger scale.
Information on Drugs
Part of putting together your drug testing policy will be to determine which chemicals are going to be outlawed in the workplace. You have the option of staying close to the most familiar illegal substances, such as marijuana, or of extending the policy to include alcohol, tobacco, and even some types of prescription drugs. By reviewing the SAMSHA’s network of information on these chemicals you may be able to find valuable information that could assist you in making these tough decisions. Also, receiving referrals to substance abuse counselors and physicians could provide you with additional input. Keep in mind that testing for more types of drugs will usually increase your expenses but will also do more to help you achieve your goal of having a truly drug free office.
Look Online
If you are preparing to write or implement such a drug policy, you can also find more information by going online. Both state and local governments in your area should have additional resources to help employers. If not, talk to the other members of your local Chamber of Commerce and see if they have any ideas on how you can most effectively implement this policy. The important thing is to remember that the government does have resources which can help you in these efforts.
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