POST SAP
Management Program
WHAT IS A SAP?
A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. The SAP will also be trained and qualified as per DOT requirements.A SAP advocates for neither the employer nor the employee; their function is to protect the public interest in safety by professionally evaluating the employee and recommending appropriate education and/or treatment, follow-up tests, and aftercare.
WHAT’S THE ESTIMATED
LENGTH OF THE SAP
PROCESS?
Each case is different, and will also depend on the SAP’s evaluation of the individual’s potential substance abuse issue. Sometimes the SAP process takes days, weeks or even months. Pre-determining the length of treatment is difficult, as individuals transition through treatment at varied speeds. Individuals must adhere to education and/or treatment as prescribed by the SAP.
HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL RETURN TO WORK
AFTER A DOT POSITIVE DRUG TEST?
When an individual does not pass a DOT drug test with a positive result, they will be removed from a DOT safety-sensitive position. The individual cannot return to any DOT safety sensitive position until they complete a return to duty process with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). The process with the SAP includes an initial evaluation, education treatment and/or education and a follow-up evaluation. Before returning to a DOT safety sensitive position, a return to duty drug test will be required, which is performed under direct observation.
DO I HAVE TO FIRE A
DRIVER WHO TESTS
POSITIVE?
When there is a positive DOT test, the DOT requires the employer to remove the employee from the DOT safety-sensitive position until further evaluation is conducted. However, immediate termination is not a requirement, although the employer policy may often be immediate termination. Some employers might allow a second chance agreement. Any DOT covered employee must be subject to follow-up testing when resuming DOT duties after completing the SAP return to duty process. The SAP prescribes the number and frequency of the follow-up testing.
HOW DO I FIND A SAP?
To find a Substance Abuse Professional in your area, please visit Saplist:
VERTICAL IDENTITY OFFERS POST-SAP MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Talk to one of our representatives today to find out how to begin. We can assist you if you’re an owner-operator in an SAP program or a DER who wants us to handle your drivers’ SAP program. We take care of the follow-up process, so you don’t have to worry about it. We manage the entire process for you and provide reports to the Clearinghouse.