Sample Alcohol And Substance Abuse Policy Template (Page 3 of 5) in pdf

Overview of Sample Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy

All employees should have a vital interest in maintaining a safe, healthy, and efficient work

environment. Employees under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the job poses serious safety and

health risks to the user and to all those who work with the user. The use, sale, purchase, transfer, or

possession of an illegal drug in the workplace, and the use, possession, or being under the influence of

alcohol also poses unacceptable risks for safe, healthy, and efficient operations

While a written policy is not required under Missouri Workers Compensation Law, Missouri Employers

Mutual (MEM) strongly urges you have a written policy as it is easily the best way to prove that a policy

exists.

A well-written policy can help protect you from litigation and, in the event of litigation, may serve as a

defense. If you have a written policy that is ill-conceived or poorly enforced, or do not have a written

policy at all, you may be more susceptible to claims of personal injury to intoxicated employees, their

coworkers and the public, claims of negligent hiring or retention, wrongful termination, disability

discrimination, and claims from injured third parties. A well-written policy may serve as a defense to

these claims.

MEM highly recommends that you review your program with competent labor and employment law

counsel prior to implementing any substance abuse policy or drug-testing program in the workplace.

This sample policy is meant only as a starting point. The documentation and sample policy MEM

provides are for informational purposes only. The sample policy is not meant to be used without

consultation with your employment law attorney. These policies need to be tailored by your attorney

to fit your situation. MEM assumes no liability for the use of sufficiency of the information provided. In

addition, please note the testing facility that you designate may require individuals to sign additional

consent forms authorizing testing and/or release of test results.

There are many resources available to help companies develop drug-free workplace programs, including

the Drug-Free Workplace Policy provided by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration on the

DEA website. In addition, the National Institute on Drug Abuse can provide information on creating and

implementing a prevention and treatment program for your employees by calling their Center for

Substance Abuse Prevention Workplace Helpline at 1.800.843.4971. Your initial cost in establishing a

drug-free workplace may be low if readily available resources are used. Again, you should always engage

appropriate legal counsel to review any and all personnel policies prior to their implementation.

Sample Alcohol And Substance Abuse Policy Template Page 3