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Drug Free Workplace - FAQs
DAPM/DER
What is a DAPM or DER and what are the associated duties?DAPM stands for Drug and Alcohol Program Manager. The DAPM is the individual responsible for the implementation of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. The DAPM is an individual identified by the Employer as able to receive communications and test results from service agents and to make required decisions in the testing and evaluation processes. The DAPM has many responsibilities that relate to your Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
The DER is a Designated Employer Representative who is able to perform many of the functions that the DAPM does, only this individual would not necessarily be the person who is in charge of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
Test Types
What are the types of tests? (The types of testing legally permitted vary by state.)- Pre-Employment - a test an Employee must pass before working for an Employer;
- Post-Accident/Incident - a test taken after an Employer-defined accident/incident;
- Random - Employees are randomly selected and instructed to report for testing without prior notification;
- Reasonable-Suspicion (For Cause) - a test taken when a trained supervisor or manager has reason to suspect that an Employee could be under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol;
- Return-to-Duty - when an Employee has previously had a non-negative test result or has refused to be tested and the Employer allows the Employee to remain employed and affords that individual a second chance, this is the test that must be taken as part of the Return-to-Duty requirements;
- Follow-Up – as part of the Return-to-Duty requirements, an Employer may have a policy requirement that an Employee complete additional tests (follow-up) as a way to ensure the Employee is not continuing to use controlled substances or misuse alcohol. The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) may decide the Follow-Up testing schedule, but the Employer’s DAPM/DER will do the actual scheduling of the Employee’s testing. The Employee does not receive any advance notification of a Follow-Up test.
- Periodic Announced – Is testing that is generally scheduled at a recurring time, many times as part of a regularly-scheduled physical examination.
Controlled Substances
What controlled substances are most abused?Drug use varies with cultural and economic trends, so a drug that is popular today might not be as popular tomorrow. However, based on national research alcohol and marijuana continue to be the two most abused drugs. Data indicates that the abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem in recent years.
What controlled substances are tested for?
Because the Employer decides which controlled substances they wish to test for as an Employer, the actual controlled substances included in your customized policy will be applicable to your decision. See your company policy for a list of the controlled substances your company tests for. The controlled substances Foley Services can test for are:
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Costs of Substance Abuse
What are the effects of drug users on business?Drug and alcohol abuse costs American businesses billions of dollars each year in lost work-time, productivity, etc. as the impact is not only on the individual, it causes repercussions throughout the business as the effects are felt on co-workers, customers and the individual’s family members. Most drug abusers are employed. Therefore, having a well managed Drug-free Workplace can save an Employer real money as you weed out potential problems using Pre-Employment testing and then utilize the other testing types within your program to continue to weed out problems.