Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

• Assisting in the implementation and functions. Figure 3-2 shows a suggested
evaluation of the overall drug and schedule for critical program review
alcohol testing program. activities.
Recommendation
Positive Approach
Support for the drug and alcohol testing
program should be embraced by top
management and filtered down through the
ranks of the transit system. The transit
system management and board should
recognize that the implementation of a
comprehensive drug and alcohol program
will be a great benefit to their employees.
A good program will improve public
safety, employee safety, and employee
morale. In addition, the program will
deter prohibited drug use and alcohol
misuse, and will provide a mechanism to
identify and help those employees with
substance abuse problems. When
presented in this positive manner, the
program will have a greater likelihood of
being accepted with little opposition from
the employees or union.
Section 2. ACTION PLAN
The actual time that a system will need
to formulate or revise its program will vary
depending on the local circumstances and
current status of its substance abuse
management program. Additional time may
be required if your current substance abuse
management program is inconsistent with
the FTA regulations or if labor/management
issues are unresolved. Figure 3-1 shows a
suggested schedule for critical program
formulation activities. New transit systems
or safety-sensitive contractors should initiate
their action plan well in advance of
system/contract start-up, as each must have
their compliant programs in place prior to
the performance of safety-sensitive
Chapter 3. Program Formulation 3-3 August 2002