| Drug abuse is a social problem which is getting | | | | gives a better result. Third party organizations are |
| bigger by the day. People are realizing the ill | | | | more specialized and they have experienced and |
| effects of drug abuse and are raising their voices | | | | skilled staff to handle the process effectively. |
| against it. Corporate and organizations are the | | | | Third Party Administrators (TPAs), organizations |
| latest to join the bandwagon against drugs. A | | | | for social cause, support groups, counseling |
| drug free workplace ensures high productivity, it | | | | centers and governmental agencies are some |
| ensures government support and also certain | | | | examples of third parties for drug testing in |
| credits meant for it. The guidelines for an | | | | workplace or to have a drug free workplace |
| effective workplace drug testing and a drug free | | | | program. |
| workplace program are discussed below: | | | | |
| | | | | Participation and involvement of top management: |
| Transparent and informative policy: A transparent | | | | A drug free workplace program cannot succeed |
| and effective policy should be formed | | | | without the support of top management and |
| encompassing all the employees. The policy should | | | | leaders. Active participation of the top |
| be easy to understand and indicate zero tolerance | | | | management would ensure enthusiasm and |
| to drugs in the workplace. It should show how a | | | | motivation in the entire process. The managers |
| drug free workplace can boost productivity. | | | | should be well-trained along with the supervisors, |
| Employees should be informed in advance about | | | | Human Resource personnel and the Union |
| the consequences of workplace drug testing and | | | | representatives who would be interacting with the |
| the disciplinary actions that would be taken. | | | | employees. Management should ensure that there |
| Forewarning is necessary before any drug testing | | | | is participation from a cross-section of employees |
| in workplace is implemented. | | | | and from every department. Workplace drug |
| | | | | testing program should not be confined to a single |
| Education and counseling: Prevention is always | | | | department or a small section of employees. |
| better than cure. Employees should be educated | | | | |
| about the disastrous effects of drugs on their | | | | Inform the appropriate authority during crisis: It is |
| personal and professional lives through seminars, | | | | wise to inform the appropriate authorities if the |
| workshops or a lecture session. An organization | | | | situation is not manageable or employees are no |
| can also educate the employees through books, | | | | cooperating. If the issue is too complex for you |
| printed materials or through individual counseling. It | | | | to handle contact the concerned department and |
| is important to empathize with the employees and | | | | civic authorities. This is especially vital in the case |
| talk to them directly. | | | | of government grants and loans that require zero |
| | | | | tolerance policies towards drug abuse in |
| Third party: Many a time appointing third parties | | | | workplace. |
| to implement a drug free workplace program | | | | |