Workplace Drug Awareness & Education Programs

[Md. Anikuzzaman]

Establishing a drug-free workplace that includes drug awareness and education programs helps protect the profits and the workers at your small business. While the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 does not require all companies to implement a drug awareness program, you may be required to do so as a condition of a government contract.

Requirements
Some businesses that contract with the federal government must assure a drug-free workplace to fulfill their contract. All companies that receive federal grants must also provide a drug-free workplace or risk a hefty penalty. The United States Department of Labor (dol.gov) website provides information on who must implement the programs. If you're the only employee in your business, all you need to do is include a clause in your federal government contract that states you will not participate in the manufacture, distribution or possession of drugs.

Policy Statement
The first step in setting up drug awareness and education programs requires creation of a drug-free workplace policy. This customized policy statement is then displayed on the walls of your office and provided in new employee packets to alert staff to your company's policy. The Department of Labor provides an online policy builder to help you create your company's statement and address the purpose of the policy along with identifying prohibited behaviors, drug testing, consequences of policy violation and the types of assistance you plan to provide.

Supervisor Training
Once you've created a policy statement, it's time to train your supervisors. The training should provide a review of your drug-free workplace policy. Training also helps the supervisors understand their responsibilities in implementing the policy, including how to recognize and deal with employees with drug or alcohol problems that erode job performance. The Department of Labor offers a slide presentation and materials you can print out and give to participants.

Employee Education
After your supervisors receive training, employee education is next on the training schedule. During the training, employees learn about the impact of alcohol abuse and drug use in the workplace. The training provides facts and information about drugs that are often abused as well as information on addiction.

Employee Assistance Program
Some companies provide an employee assistance program that helps identify and resolve problems related to alcohol and drug abuse. The Department of Labor offers an online guide to help you develop the components of the program. The guide shows you how to determine the goals and services you want to include and helps you choose a program provider by giving you a list of questions to ask potential vendors about their credentials, services, confidentiality and focus.

Source: http://work.chron.com/workplace-drug-awareness-education-programs-1108.html