Employee Substance Abuse Issues

Drug crimes can include a variety of activity, such as possession, sale, manufacture, and distribution, which are prohibited on both the state and federal level.  Establishing policies to ensure that your business is not subject to any penalties related to drug activity is vital in conducting a safe and successful workplace.

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988

This federal law requires that all organizations that contract with any U.S. Federal agency in the amount of $100,000 or more (not including commercial goods by purchase order or procurement contract) as well as any organization that receives any Federal grant money, regardless of the amount, maintain a drug free workplace.  Compliance with the Law requires that a statement be published informing all employees that action will be taken against them if they unlawfully manufacture, distribute, possess, or sell a controlled substance while in the workplace.  Employers who violate this Law by certifying a false report to the contracting or grant head, by failing to post a statement, or who has excessive drug convictions in the workplace will be subject to the loss of grant money or Federal contract.

Workplace Policies

The U.S. Department of Labor has established a comprehensive five step policy to ensure that the workplace remain drug-free.  The steps include: (1) A Drug-Free Workplace Policy, (2) Supervisor Training, (3) Employee Education, (4) Employee Assistance, and (5) Drug Testing.  Not all steps are necessarily required to maintain a drug-free environment, but implementation of a similar program would be beneficial in the prevention of employee substance abuse.  Attorney Kevin J. Dolley is fully able to work with your organization to develop workplace policies that serve to prevent employee substance abuse and can effectively deal with employee substance abuse if the situation were to occur.

Contact our Employment Law Firm

To set up a consultation, please contact the Law Offices of Kevin J. Dolley at (314) 645-4100 or email at kevin@dolleylaw.com.  All legal consultation are held strictly confidential.