Drug & Alcohol Updates
If you are not currently conducting substance abuse testing through USIS, and you would like more information on these services, please call (866) 205-6129.

Regulatory Updates:

From the U.S. DOT Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC):

Reminder: By March 15, 2006, employers regulated by DOT and/or United States Coast Guard (USCG) are required to have submitted Management Information Systems (MIS) data of drug and alcohol testing.

To make it easier for these employers to submit their data, ODAPC has created a MIS page www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/mis.html with regulatory specific text on who must submit a MIS report, when and how. The MIS page also contains links to DOT Agency and USCG specific sites with instructions on submitting the MIS reports. read more.

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From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USCG):

The USCG published its final rule on alcohol testing after a Serious Marine Incident (SMI). The new rule mandates that alcohol testing must be performed within two hours after an SMI. It requires marine employers who cannot get the test conducted at a shore based facility within the required two hours to maintain alcohol testing devices on board their vessels. Additionally, the rule authorizes the use of saliva for alcohol testing.

Any alcohol testing device utilized, saliva or breath, must be on the Conforming Products List.

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From the Office of National Drug Control Policy

The Costs of Parity for Substance Abuse Treatment
Employment-based health insurance plans typically provide less coverage for mental health and substance abuse services than for medical/surgical services. Parity would mean that mental health and/or substance abuse treatment would be covered in the same way as other medical care.

In a study of 3,729 alcoholics, an analysis revealed that total health care costs of treated alcoholics decreased by 23 percent to 55 percent of their highest pretreatment levels. In contrast, the costs rose for individuals who had been identified as an alcoholic and who had not been treated for alcoholism (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Workplace Claims) An extensive body of federally funded research shows that with treatment, primary drug use decreases by nearly half. In addition, reported alcohol and drug-related medical visits decline by more than 50 percent, criminal activity decreases and financial self-sufficiency improves (e.g. employment increases, and welfare receipt and homelessness decline).

Cost estimates of “full substance abuse parity” to “typical” benefit plans range from an increase in premium rates of $0.14 per member/month for health care plans to $1.35 per member for fee-for-service plans. The estimated composite increase in premium rates is $0.66 per member per month, or less than $8.00 per year.

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From the U.S. Department of Labor

University at Buffalo Study on Workplace Alcohol
The results of a study released in January indicate that workplace alcohol use and impairment affects an estimated 15 percent of the U.S. workforce, or 19.2 million workers. The study was conducted by the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions and funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

A Department spokesperson stated, “Clearly, these findings are of concern to the nation’s workplaces. Alcohol can significantly impair judgment and coordination, leading to an increased risk of on-the-job accidents and injuries. It can also lead to lower levels of productivity and employee morale - not only that of those with alcohol problems, but also those working alongside them.

The good news is that when employers and employees work together to develop drug-free workplace programs that educate about the dangers of alcohol and encourage individuals with alcohol problems to seek help, the problem can be greatly reduced.”

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Did You Know?

The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States: 1992-2000
The following information was extracted from a report prepared for “The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The report covers the years from 1992 thru 1998 with projections for the year 2000. This type of data requires years to compile; therefore, similar data isn’t yet available for more recent years.

* Costs of the criminal justice system, costs related to reducing the supply of drugs and social welfare costs.

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Focus On:

The DAC News Service seeks to inform by providing information on topics of broad interest and concern to employers. Therefore, from time-to-time, we will select subjects we believe to be relevant and informative to the workplace environment. This month’s topic concerns the importance of trained supervisors in ensuring a Drug-Free Workplace and the USIS introduction of a cost-effective, new, innovative “Supervisor’s Guide to Reasonable Suspicion Testing” training program.

The Most Important Drug-free Workplace Ingredient for Supervisors

From the CEO to the first-line supervisor, all are responsible for supervising one or more employees. They delegate work, monitor the work/progress and are generally responsible for ensuring the mission of the organization is accomplished. Front-line supervisors are, however, especially important in that they are the ones closest to the employees directly responsible for producing the organization’s goods and services. Depending on the organization, their responsibilities can include hiring and training, encouraging and disciplining, effectively communicating policies and directives, handling grievances, and enforcing safety issues. Nowhere else, at any level, is more expected or performance more critical. read more.

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USIS Introduces an Innovative Supervisor Training Program

USIS is now offering A Supervisor’s Guide to Reasonable Suspicion Testing. The course combines on-line web training and a companion hard-copy desk reference manual. The web course includes chapter quizzes, a final examination and a certificate of completion to document successfully passing the course. The desk reference training manual gives you a choice between a CD or print versions.

Lastly, whether a company implements a drug/alcohol testing program to increase safety and productivity or to comply with state/federal rules, USIS has the expertise and tools to help ensure you have the most cost-effective, compliant program available. read more.

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USIS Schedule

View the 2006 Schedule for Commercial Services.

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Published by USIS
Copyright © 2006 USIS. All rights reserved.

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