As a supervisor, it is your job to familiarize yourself with Epsilon Systems' Substance Abuse Policy and Drug-Free Workplace Policy Statement; you should be able to explain both of these policies to others. In addition, you must ensure that those reporting to you understand their responsibility to:

• Know Epsilon Systems' drug-free workplace policy;
• Follow it and set a good example for others;
• Seek help if they or their co-workers need it; and
• Notify management when they observe drug or alcohol use or impairment that threatens safety.

Signs That Drug or Alcohol Use is Becoming a Safety or Health Hazard at Work

Supervisors can play a powerful role in improving workplace safety by intervening and encouraging workers with alcohol or drug problems to seek help. But just how can you tell whether a worker is misusing drugs or alcohol?

Both on and off the job, symptoms of alcohol or drug use may be physical (chills, smell of alcohol, sweating, weight loss, physical deterioration); emotional (increased aggression, anxiety, burnout, denial, depression, paranoia); and/or behavioral (excessive talking, impaired coordination, irritability, lack of energy, limited attention span, poor motivation).

While different types of drugs produce different physical symptoms or behaviors, there are numerous ways that misuse affects work behavior—and ultimately job performance and safety. It could be a sign of a drug or alcohol problem if a worker is:

• Arriving late, leaving early and/or often absent.
• Unreliable and often away from assigned job.
• Careless and repeatedly making mistakes.
• Argumentative and uncooperative.
• Unwilling or unable to follow directions.
• Avoiding responsibilities.
• Making excuses that are unbelievable or placing blame elsewhere.
• Taking unnecessary risks by ignoring safety and health procedures.
• Frequently involved in mishaps and accidents or responsible for damage to equipment or property.

It is important to note that if an employee displays these signs, it does not necessarily mean he/she has a drug or alcohol problem, but the possibility should not be overlooked.

Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities

Because you have day-to-day responsibility over what goes on in the workplace, you play a critical role in enforcing Epsilon Systems' drug-free workplace policy. However, you are not expected to perform the role of police officer or counselor. HR is here to assist you. Since it is part of your job to assess employees' job performance to ensure that all necessary tasks are completed in accordance with specifications and deadlines, your primary role in enforcing the policy is to be observant.

When a worker is impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol, he or she threatens the safety and well-being of everyone at a worksite. While it is the responsibility of every employee to work drug free, supervisors can be the first line of defense by taking appropriate action when a worker may be impaired. When an employee begins to show a consistent pattern of problem behavior, you should take action. Focusing on job performance, even when you think the problem may be caused by drugs or alcohol, allows you to balance both the rights of the individual employee to privacy and fair treatment and the rights of the work group to a safe, secure and productive environment.

What to Do When You Suspect Drug Use

Many factors determine how a supervisor should respond to possible drug use in the workplace. In some instances, a supervisor may direct an employee to submit to a reasonable suspicion drug test. The reasonable suspicion test requires a supervisor to order a drug test of an employee when he/she is incapable of properly performing his/her job due to suspected drug and/or alcohol use. A mere "hunch" of drug use does not justify a reasonable suspension drug test. Rather, the supervisor should observe objective factors demonstrating the possibility that an employee is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. 

All supervisors should contact the HR Department for further guidance.

All employees are expected and required to report for work in a mental and physical condition that promotes a productive, safe, healthful, secure, drug-free work environment. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on Epsilon Systems' premises or while conducting Epsilon Systems' business on or off Epsilon Systems' premises is prohibited.

Things to Remember

If you directly observe drug-free workplace policy violations or obvious, on-the-job impairment you believe poses an immediate danger to any worker on the job:

• DO NOT DELAY or ignore the situation.
• ACT to prevent the worker from committing the unsafe practice, if at all possible.
• NOTIFY your supervisor or foreman immediately.
• BE WILLING to risk being wrong. When your safety and that of your co-workers is on the line, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Help Lines for Employees

In addition to Epsilon Systems' EAP, the following organizations and resources provide free, confidential assistance to individuals who have, or know someone who has, a problem with alcohol or other drugs.

• Substance Abuse Treatment Locator
• www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment
• Phone: 1-800-662-HELP
• This Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Web site and toll-free phone line help individuals locate drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs in their communities.

• AlcoholScreening.org
• www.alcoholscreening.org
• This free, confidential Web site lets individuals privately assess their own drinking habits and receive personalized feedback to help them determine if they need help to change those habits. Individuals can also find out about facilities in their communities that offer drug and alcohol abuse treatment and consultations with qualified health professionals regarding alcohol problems.

• Al-Anon/Alateen
• www.al-anon.alateen.org
• Phone: (888) 4AL-ANON
• Al-Anon provides information on the effects of alcohol abuse and refers friends and families of alcohol abusers to nearby support groups. Al-Anon's purpose is to help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with a relative or friend with a drinking problem. Alateen is the organization's program for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking.

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• www.aa.org
• Phone: (212) 870-3400
• AA offers a way to stop drinking to individuals who feel they have a problem with alcohol. AA groups are located in most cities and rural communities throughout the country. Look up "Alcoholics Anonymous" in a local telephone directory for a contact in your area.

• Cocaine Anonymous
• www.ca.org
• Phone: (800) 347-8998
• Cocaine Anonymous provides support for people dependent on cocaine and other mind-altering substances. Callers are referred to local help lines.

• Nar-Anon
• www.nar-anon.org
• Phone: (800) 477-6291
• This worldwide program provides support for friends and families of individuals with substance abuse problems.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SANHSA)
• www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
• Phone: (800) 662-HELP
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.