What is a Substance Abuse Professional?
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation – 49 CFR Part 40 – defines the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) as an individual who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing and aftercare. The DOT requires that any employee whose position falls under the DOT and tests positive for drugs or alcohol on a pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion or post-accident screening must be referred to a certified Substance Abuse Professional, even if the employee is terminated. This requirement is per 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O. For more information on this, please click here.
What does the SAP process involve?
It includes the initial evaluation and written report with appropriate education/treatment recommendations which is forwarded to the designated employee representative (DER) along with a phone contact outlining the aforementioned. The SAP provider will monitor the employee’s compliance with the recommendations and provide the follow-up SAP evaluation to determine compliance or violation of the SAP recommendations. A follow-up report is discussed by phone and sent in writing to the DER along with the follow-up testing schedule or any additional requirements that will need to be met