It is a fact that employers will see many benefits from a formal drug free workplace. Employers have experienced a decrease in workplace accidents, employee mistakes, absenteeism, employee turnover, and in their workers' compensation claims. Other benefits are less tangible, such as improved workplace environment, employee morale and customer satisfaction. Additionally, businesses in certain states may also qualify for a discount on their workers' compensation premiums if they demonstrate their drug free workplace program.*

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly 81 billion dollars in lost productivity in just one year, 37 billion due to premature death and 44 billion due to illness. Of these combined costs, 86 percent are attributed to drinking.

Drug free workplace programs may include provisions for “Pre-Employment” (i.e. Post-Offer); Random, Reasonable Suspicion, Post-Accident, DOT-related, and others. Contact your Loss Prevention Consultant.

There are myriad of questions surrounding the logistics and legalities of drug free workplace programs. Please visit the FAQ section of the NDFWA website (http://www.drugfreeworkplaces.org/index.php) for more detailed information.

*Source: National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance (www, 2008)

From a Workers’ Compensation viewpoint, a Post Accident Drug Testing (PADT) program is the most important piece to a comprehensive drug free workplace program. A PADT is required to be in place for all of Synergy’s Policyholders. Implementation of a PADT program may result in a reduction in your total claims costs.

A post-accident drug test is required for all workplace incidents that require professional medical treatment. Post-accident drug testing practices must be formalized into a written program. Synergy will be happy to assist your organization with the implementation of a formal, written program: Post Accident Drug Testing Program. The following link is also available to your organization to develop a comprehensive drug testing program: Comprehensive Drug Testing Program.

After you put your program together, communicate to your designated medical provider(s) that your policy is in place and who the testing results must be sent to. It is advisable to choose medical providers who not only collect the sample, but that also have the capability for analysis and provision for a Medical Review Officer (MRO). An MRO is necessary in cases of positive test results from a Controlled Substance, as a prescription issued by a licensed medical provider.

Finally, your organization must decide what the proper recourse will be for a positive test. In other words, will employees be terminated, offered the Employee Assistance Program, etc? To avoid potential legal ramifications, it is important to be consistent in all cases of recourse a positive test. Please note that a positive test must be communicated to your Synergy Claims Adjuster.

The NDWA can assist you in developing a drug free workplace program for your company. There is no cost for this assistance. Please visit their website for a wide variety of information: http://www.ndfwa.org/index.php.

General Drug Testing Information:

	National Institute on Drug Abuse:
	http://www.nida.nih.gov/
	Office of National Drug Control Policy:
	http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/prevent/workplace/demog.html
	U.S. National Library of Medicine:
	http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugabuse.html
	U.S. Department of Labor:
	http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/news-room.asp
	National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance:
	http://www.ndfwa.org/

Certified Testing Laboratories (recommended):

	Quest Diagnostics:
	Address: 3 Giralda Farms Madison, NJ 07940 Phone: (800) 222-0446
	Webpage: http://www.questdiagnostics.com (Homepage) http://www.questdiagnostics.com/employersolutions/index.html (Employer Webpage)
	National Diagnostics, Inc.
	Address: 6407 Idlewild Road, Suite 211 Charlotte, NC 28212 Phone: (800) 272-3350
	Webpage: http://www.natldiag.com/default.htm