Confirm Limit--Level of detectable drugs in urine to confirm a positive test.

Transcription

1 Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy Purpose To establish and maintain a safe, healthy working environment for all PVFD members; reduce the incidence of accidental injury to members and property; reduce absenteeism, indifferent job performance, and other non-productive actions; and promote a positive image to our service community by creating a drug-free workplace Scope This policy applies to all PVFD members while responding to calls, attending PVFD-sponsored training onsite or offsite, attending official meetings, while on-duty, and in general, while representing PVFD on official business. Where indicated, it shall also apply to invited visitors while on PVFD property and to non-member students/trainees while participating in PVFD training. Definitions Chain of Custody--the documentation procedures that are followed to determine how and by whom a urine or blood sample is handled from the time it is collected from the individual, until the final test result is determined. This process links the individual providing the sample to his or her particular sample. It provides written proof of every handling of the specimen while at the collection site and the laboratory. Drug-free Workplace PVFD property on which engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of any alcohol, controlled substance, or other prescription drug which may impair performance and reduce safety is prohibited. Confirm Limit--Level of detectable drugs in urine to confirm a positive test. Confirmation tests--the first analysis of a urine sample is called an assay, or an initial screen. If an initial test is positive, it is essential that a second test be conducted to verify the result. Illegal Drugs--Drugs that are against Federal or State law to own, possess, use, manufacture, or to distribute. Examples of illegal drugs are cocaine or marijuana. Legal drugs being used improperly or used without the supervision of a licensed health care provider are also considered illegal drugs. Use of a prescription drug obtained in any of the following manners constitutes illegal use of drugs and is actionable by PVFD: Through the purchase of the black market. From a valid prescription of another person (such as a family member or friend) From a prescription obtained under false pretenses. As part of multiple prescriptions falsely obtained from different health care professionals. PVFD Property--any PVFD buildings, equipment, or vehicles. UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 1 of 6

2 RTOHS Research Triangle Occupational Health Services, 3200 Crosdaile Dr., Ste 405, Durham, NC Approach 1) Alcohol and/or drug abuse in the workplace is dangerous because it leads to physical impairment, loss of judgment, safety violations, and the risk of injury and possible death. a. PVFD members are expected to report in a condition fit for duty. Being under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, illegal drugs, or controlled substances while at work is an unfit condition. b. Members who distribute dispense, possess, or use alcohol, narcotics, illegal drugs, or controlled substances at any time, either on or off PVFD property and either on or off duty, except in accordance with law, by prescription, and this Policy, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. 2) Alcoholic Beverages a. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on PVFD property is strictly prohibited and places the violator in jeopardy of immediate discharge. b. Being under the influence of alcoholic beverages while on PVFD property will subject a member to disciplinary action up to and including discharge for the first offense. 3) Illegal Drugs a. The illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of narcotics, illegal drugs, or controlled substances on PVFD property is strictly prohibited and places the violator in jeopardy of immediate discharge. b. Being under the influence of narcotics, illegal drugs, or controlled substances while on duty, will subject a volunteer to disciplinary action up to and including discharge for the first offense. c. Law enforcement authorities will be notified whenever narcotics, illegal drugs, or controlled substances are found in the workplace. 4) Prescription Drugs a. Prescription drugs and medications shall be used only in the manner, combination, and quantity prescribed. b. Prescription drugs and medications shall be used only by the person to whom the drug is prescribed. c. If a PVFD member has any indication that prescribed or over the counter drugs may impair their workplace behavior and/or performance, they should not report to PVFD until they are fit to return to duty. 5) Visitors and Non-Member Students/Trainees a. Visitors and non-member students/trainees who are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on PVFD property will be escorted off the property in the care of a friend, fellow student, or other responsible adult as soon as practical. UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 2 of 6

3 b. Individuals suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs shall not be allowed to drive. Law enforcement shall be notified if the person refuses. c. Appropriate school faculty or supervisor at the affiliated organization of non-member students/trainees shall be notified by a PVFD Officer. 6) Reasons for Drug Testing a. Reasonable cause drug testing PVFD will require alcohol and/or drug screening tests when there is a reasonable cause such as, but not limited to, the following: i. Observed inability of a member to perform his or her job in a safe or satisfactory manner ii. Observed possession of illegal drug paraphernalia, illegal drugs or alcohol while on PVFD property. iii. Observed and documented behavior indicating an apparent physical state of impairment (poor balance, slurred speech, marijuana or alcohol odor, etc). iv. Any member who is responsible for an accident resulting in significant damage to PVFD property, or injury to other persons where there is not a reasonable explanation as to the cause, or where negligence or carelessness appears to be the cause. v. All instances of 5(a) i-iv shall be documented on an incident report and reported to a PVFD Officer immediately. vi. The reasonable cause testing program shall apply to all PVFD members. vii. A PVFD Officer will request a drug screen for the member. The member will be asked to consent to a drug and/or alcohol test and sign a form acknowledging his/her consent. Any Member who refuses to provide urine or other appropriate testing specimen will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. b. Pre-employment drug screen--all full time employee applicants for PVFD shall successfully complete a drug screen prior to being accepted as an employee of the department. c. Random drug screen any PVFD member may be asked to report for routine drug screening at any time while on duty. RTOHS shall generate a random pick from a list of members provided by PVFD Division Chief EMS or designate. 7) Testing Procedures a. Research Triangle Occupational Health Services shall perform and provide medical oversight of the alcohol/drug test process. b. A designated collection site will be provided where members will present themselves for testing. The site will possess all necessary personnel, materials, equipment, facilities, and supervision to provide for the collection, security, temporary storage, and transportation of urine or other required specimens to a drug testing laboratory. Chain of custody of samples will be maintained. c. For random drug screening PVFD members will be asked by a PVFD officer to report to the collection site at a specific date/time while on duty for drug screening. d. PVFD members who are believed to be under the influence of drugs will be transported to the collection site by a PVFD officer or designate. UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 3 of 6

4 e. Applicants for full-time employment will be instructed to report to the collection site at a specified time. f. Applicants and PVFD members will be given an opportunity prior to testing to list all drugs they have recently taken, including prescribed drugs, and to explain the circumstances of the use of those drugs in writing on a control form. g. Collection of samples or specimens shall allow individual privacy unless there is reason to believe that a particular individual may alter or substitute the specimen to be provided. Precautions shall be taken to ensure that a specimen has not been adulterated or diluted during the collection procedure and that all information on the specimen bottle and the chain-of-custody form can be identified as belonging to a given individual. Collection of urine specimens shall not be made under observation unless RTOHS or PVFD has reason to believe that a particular individual may alter or substitute the specimen. h. All specimens collected by PVFD pursuant to this policy shall be tested in a laboratory certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Institute in Drug Abuse (NIDA). i. Initial samples having a negative screen (no illegal or illicitly used substance) will be considered to have tested negative and no further testing will be done on those samples. Those samples that test positive on the first screen will be tested more extensively to eliminate any false positive tests. j. A member or applicant who tests positive may request a second analysis of the original sample. That test will be conducted at the same laboratory used by RTOHS at the individual s expense. The individual can also request a separate retest at another NIDA certified laboratory. In such instances, the laboratory used by the RTOHS will send a portion of the original sample to a laboratory designated by the individual. The cost of the retest shall be paid for by the individual. k. All members and applicants will receive written notification of drug tests and test results. l. Specimens will be checked for at least the following substances: DRUG Screen Limit Confirm Limit Alcohol 0.04% 0.04% Amphetamines, 1000 ng/ml 500 ng/ml Methamphetamines Cocaine, Crack, 300 ng/ml 150 ng/ml Freebase Opiates (Heroin, 300 ng/ml 300 ng/ml Morphine, Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone) 6-acetyl morphine 300 ng/ml 10ng/ml PCP 25 ng/ml 25 ng/ml (Phencyclidine) THC 50 ng/ml 15 ng/ml UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 4 of 6

5 8) Medical Review of Test Results a. A positive drug test (screen and confirm) does not automatically identify an individual as a user of illegal drugs. A licensed physician (Medical Review Officer) with knowledge of substance abuse disorders will review all positive drug test results in order to verify that chain of custody procedures were followed and that there are no alternative medical explanations for the test result. The responsibilities of the licensed physician are to determine if there is a legitimate explanation for a positive test result and to ensure chain of custody is accurate. 9) Required Notification of Legal Action a. As a condition of continued membership, members agree to notify PVFD within five (5) calendar days after any criminal conviction for workplace manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illegal drugs and prescription drugs not prescribed for the individual s use. b. PVFD shall notify all state and federal grantors / contracting agencies of such volunteer convictions as required by the state and federal Drug Free Workplace Acts. Conviction means a finding of guilt, imposition of a sentence, a plea of no contest, or a plea of guilty. 10) Consequences of Violating this Policy a. Violations of this policy may result in immediate termination. b. Individuals who have been PVFD members for 5 years or more and who violate this policy may be reinstated without penalty pending successful completion of a rehabilitation program. Members returning to duty from a rehabilitation program shall agree to periodic alcohol/drug screening at PVFD s expense. Subsequent violations will result in immediate termination. Records Generated by this Policy Incident reports (File plan 01) Maintained by PVFD Chief permanently Individual s drug screen report (File plan 01) Maintained by PVFD Chief permanently Criminal conviction notification (File plan 01) Maintained by PVFD Chief permanently Notice of personnel action (File plan 01) Maintained by PVFD Chief permanently Legal and Other Requirements Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 (DFWA) NC "Controlled Substance Examination Regulation", GS et seq. UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 5 of 6

6 Document Review History Date Revision # Revision Summary Reviewer 1/1/ Original 1/1/ Added review history K Bobseine UNCONTROLLED - PRINTED COPY - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 6 of 6