Drug and alcohol abuse is a bottom-line issue for employers, and no workplace is immune to it. Employers have a vested interest in eliminating a drug problem. Recognizing the importance of protecting corporate profitability from drug and alcohol abuse, employers are implementing drug-and-alcohol-free workplace programs. The impetus for these programs has grown tremendously in the past few years. They have spread from the federal government and large corporations to small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, the expansion of private-sector programs is driven by several mandates: Department of Transportation (DOT) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations for those industries; Department of Defense (DOD) regulations for their contractors and the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. These require many federal grantees and contractors to provide drug free workplaces. In addition, several State Workers’ Compensation insurance programs offer money-saving incentives to business owners.

Guidelines have been developed to prevent substance abuse in the workplace and encourage employees who use drugs and/or alcohol to seek help in overcoming their problem. These guidelines provide a full spectrum of substance abuse education, prevention, intervention and treatment resources: 

• A policy statement
• An employee orientation and drug awareness education program
• Supervisor training
• An employee assistance program including intervention and treatment referral components
• Information about drug testing
• Information about legal issues
• Information about compliance with federal and state mandates
• Resources to assist employers in maintaining a drug-and-alcohol-free workplace
  
  
  

Drug abuse is defined as "any activity involving illegal drugs, chronic or improper use of alcohol and misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications."

For more information regarding establishing a drug free workplace in Florida, please visit us at
www.drugfreeworkplaces.org.

 For more information on the national alliance, or to locate information about a drug free workplace program provider in your state, go to  
www.ndfwa.org