Briefing Book

for the

Drug-Free Workforce
Conference

July 10-11, 2003

Washington, DC

Prepared for
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy

By
TATC Consulting
2409 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-2003
www.tatc.com

June 24, 2003

This publication was prepared under a contract from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL),
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free
Workplace. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and
should not be construed as representing the opinions or policy of the United States Department
of Labor or any other agency of the Federal Government.

This briefing book does not create new legal requirements or change current legal requirements.
Instead, it is intended to provide background information and present issues for discussion to
participants at the Drug-Free Workforce Conference. Every effort has been made to ensure that
the information contained in the guide is accurate and up-to-date, but readers must rely on
applicable law or regulations for official guidance.

Citations to websites and other materials produced and/or published by any entity other than the
United States Government are included in this briefing book for informational purposes only.
Such citations are not intended, and should not be interpreted, as an endorsement of the materials
or any of their contents, the organizations, or respective websites.
 Contents

Acknowledgements

Section 1: Introduction and Summary of Key Issues

Presents the rationale, purpose, scope, and intended audience of the Drug-Free
Workforce Conference. Summarizes the policy issues and knowledge gaps
regarding drug-free workplace programs and coordination and the “triad” of
relationships between employers and the workforce development and substance
abuse treatment systems.

Section 2: Extent and Impact of Substance Abuse

Discusses the extent of substance abuse in the workforce, workplace, and general
population. Summarizes research findings on the negative impact of substance
abuse on workplace and workforce in terms of safety, productivity, and
employment.

Section 3: Productivity and Other Benefits of Drug-Free

Workplace Programs, Substance Abuse Treatment, and
Recovery
Presents evidence of how workplace policies and programs to prevent and address
substance abuse can increase workplace productivity and improve workers’
treatment and employment outcomes. Summarizes the results of research on how
treatment for and recovery from substance abuse benefits employment and other
aspects of people’s lives, and how employment may help sustain recovery.

Section 4: Workplace-Related Policies, Programs, and

Laws

Explains what Drug-Free Workplace Programs are and describes the federal and
State laws and policies designed to encourage them. Describes general current
practice in how employers address the issue of substance abuse, particularly in
relation to the workforce investment and substance abuse treatment systems.

Section 5: The Workforce Investment System and Related

Programs

Provides an overview of the workforce investment system, the entities it includes,

and the laws authorizing various workforce programs. Describes general current
practice in how the workforce investment system addresses the issue of substance
abuse, particularly in relation to employers and the substance abuse treatment
system.

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Section 6: Addiction, Treatment, and the Substance Abuse
Treatment System

Provides an overview of the substance abuse treatment system, the entities it

includes, and related authorizing legislation. Cross-references policies and
current practices in the workplace and the workforce investment system in paying
for substance abuse treatment. Describes general current practice in how the
substance abuse treatment system addresses employment, particularly in relation
to employers and the workforce investment system.

Section 7: Disability-Related Issues

Discusses “co-occurrence” of substance abuse with other disabilities. Discusses

the employment challenges facing persons who are in treatment for or recovery
from alcoholism and/or drug addiction. Summarizes how federal non-
discrimination laws regarding disabilities, most notably the Americans with
Disabilities Act, affect policies towards persons with substance abuse problems
within the workplace and the workforce investment and substance abuse treatment
systems. Summarizes federal privacy protections of medical records regarding
disabilities and substance abuse treatment.

Section 8: Other Supporting or Intersecting Systems

Summarizes other programs and services that may have an impact on substance abuse
and the workforce, including veterans’ programs and drug courts.

Section 9: Promising Approaches: Coordination Between

Employers, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Workforce
Investment Providers

Presents promising approaches in coordinating service delivery in the “triad” of

employers and the workforce investment and substance abuse treatment systems.

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms

Appendix B: Bibliography

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 Acknowledgements

This briefing book was prepared for participants of the Drug-Free Workforce Conference, held in
Washington, DC on July 10-11, 2003. Financial1 support for the conference was provided by the
U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Assistance Secretary for Policy, Office of Disability
Employment Policy, Employment and Training Administration, and Veterans’ Employment and
Training Service. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research’s Interagency
Committee on Disability Research also provided participant travel assistance.

Additionally, the Drug-Free Workforce Conference was planned with the on-going support of
many agencies and individuals. We would like to thank all those that gave generously of their
time in designing and implementing the conference.

U.S. Department of Labor

• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy: Elena Carr, Lisa Stuart, Barb Cooper
• Office of Disability Employment Policy: Richard Horne, Dale Brown
• Employment and Training Administration: Gerri Fiala, Maria Kniesler-Flynn, Chonita
Tillmon, Valerie Lloyd, Sahar Rais-Danai

U.S. Department of Education

• Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: Dora Teimouri, Delores
Watkins

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Office of Public Health Service: Christine Cichetti
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Steve Wing, John Bailey
• National Institutes of Health: Tom Hilton, Jan Howard

U.S. Department of Justice

• Office of the Attorney General: Michael Carrington, Pat Tarr

Executive Office of the President

• Office of National Drug Control Policy: Bernie McCann

Many others provided assistance, including: Sharon Amatetti, Effie Baldwin, Bill Ballweber,
Ann Barbagalo, Dana Barbieri, Crystal Blyler, Aquila Branch, Joan Bready, Gardner Carrick,
Babs Chase, Jennifer Columbel; Joel Egertson, John Erbach, Thomas Feucht, Jerry Flanzer,
Deborah Galvin, David Gray, Anissa Holm, Lee Anne Jillings, Ann Maxwell, Kristine
McLauglin, Carol Rest-Mincberg, William John Moore, Kim Nguyen, Marica Salovitz, Bettye
Samuels, Jane Sanville, Carol Schauer, Lomy Schauffler, Rebecca Skipper, Chris Spear, Renee
Tajudeen, Ivette Torres, Helen Williams, and Gary Visscher.

In addition, special thanks go out to those that served on our expert panel: Joel Bennett, Laura
Blankertz, Mike Frone, Joe Marrone, Dennis Moore, and Paul Roman.

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Thanks are also due to the team that developed the on-line registration system, Michael Pulsfier,
Diane Mayronne, and Paul Hylind, and to the Department of Labor’s National Call Center.

The Department of Labor would also like to thank TATC Consulting’s Alisa Tanaka-Dodge and
Cheryl Martin for their work in putting together this report.

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