This article first appeared in the PR April 2000
issue of Pro Remodeler.
Workplace drug abuse costs U.S. businesses more than $100 billion each year in lost productivity, and higher healthcare and workers’ compensation costs. "Drug-free workplace programs can make dramatic contributions to a company’s bottom line, but only if they’re done right," says Beth Lindamood, a drug-free workplace expert.
Despite free information offered by insurance companies and the federal government, many small businesses try to rid their workplaces of substance abusers by devising their own drug-free workplace programs. These homemade programs usually fail because of incomplete planning and improper implementation.
Take this quiz to determine whether your program needs some
professional intervention of its own.
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Quiz
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| 1. My company’s drug-abuse program has full support of top management. |
True | False |
| 2. My company distributed a policy, educated employees, and reviewed applicable union agreements before starting a substance abuse testing program. |
True | False |
| 3. My company conducts drug testing and has a written drug-free workplace policy. |
True | False |
| 4. My company uses a medical review officer in our testing program. |
True | False |
| 5. My company tests management as well as staff. | True | False |
| 6. My company uses accredited laboratories to analyze samples. |
True | False |
| 7. My company tests for adulterants. | True | False |
| 8. My company enforces a workplace drug abuse policy consistently. |
True | False |
| 9. My company provides transportation when it sends “reasonable cause” cases to the testing site. |
True | False |
| 10. My company reports the results of drug tests to a limited number of key people. | True | False |
If you answered “false” to any of the questions, it may be time to review your company’s drug-abuse program. For tips on how to establish a drug-free workplace, call the Ohio Casualty Group, (877) 397-CALL, or contact the Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov. |
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