Independence Again 
Tel 931-510-9775 Fax 615-528-9403
Lynda@IndependenceAgain.org
www.IndependenceAgain.org
Independence Again
Policy and Procedure Directive
Title: Drug Screening Policy#: DT-001
Standard: Action in Program Service Area: Residents File
Effective Date: 1/1/2015 Revised: 5/27/2018
All residents, once admitted will be added to the email for drug testing. This rotation is a random 1/7. Staff or Volunteers will send out an email prior to 10:00am each day a drug test is to be given. The resident is responsible for checking their email prior to 6:01pm to verify if they have a drug screen or not. The staff will be available for no less than 30 minutes to provide the resident enough reasonable time to produce a sample either urine or saliva. The staff and or volunteers will list the drug screen as a “failure to provide” after 60 minutes. If the resident does not request to take the drug test the staff and or volunteers will list the drug screen as a “failure to provide”. *It is significant to note that the staff will not pursue a resident to take a drug screen. Failure to provide a drug screen will result in a restriction.
Independence Again is committed to ensuring that any and all residents are given an opportunity to be drug screened regularly as a tool to help the resident understand the level of risk and accountability they are to maintain. This is a tool; not the sole measure of success or barriers. If using behaviors are presented to either the staff or reported to be occurring by a housemate then staff and or volunteers will discuss these with the individuals at any time that is appropriate either in a group or individually. If use is a concern all steps should be taken to have this conversation in private; unless the housemates are part of the residents support team.
A positive drug screen alone shall never be a reason for discharge. Using behaviors and use is a reason to have a consultation and this should be completed within 24 hours of admitted use or immediately/ASAP for a positive drug screen with denial of use. Failure to comply with this can result in discharge for the safety of the other residents.
Failure to provide a sample due to inability to urinate -
- The resident can request a hair follicle or other testing option if the resident has more than 90 days drug and alcohol free and have not used hair color on their hair in more than 90 days. This cost will be up to the resident to provide at the time the sample is taken. - This cost is non-refundable.
- The resident can request a saliva drug screen in conjunction with an unobserved urine sample. The cost of this option is $9 a test to cover the cost of the secondary drug tests and must be paid in advance of the test. This is an option not a right and the board must approve this option prior to this plan being put in place if a resident will request this more than once. It will be up to the resident to advise staff they want this option.
Urine Drug Screening Procedure is as follows; any deviation of this practice can cause the test to be void.
- Resident must ask to take the drug test.
- Staff or Volunteer of the same gender will get the appropriate test
- Staff or Volunteer will open the sealed package and give test to the resident
- Resident will have up to 30 minutes to provide an observed sample for screening
- Staff or Volunteer will read temperature, peel label and read screen within 5 minutes of sample being provided
- Results will be explained (if needed) to resident
- Staff will document the results by electronic form each time a test is provided
- Resident will sign drug screen form with explanation (if needed) of results
- Staff or Volunteer will sign drug screen form (if needed)
- Staff or Volunteer will file all positive results in chart and document on progress report each test result
- Positive results will require a consultation or an update if detox or continued use is a risk.
Saliva Drug Screening Procedure is as follows; any deviation of this practice can cause the test to be void
- Resident must ask to take the saliva drug test.
- Staff or Volunteer will get the appropriate test
- Staff or Volunteer will open the sealed package and stay with the resident for the 5 minutes while the test is performed.
- Staff or Volunteer will read the result
- Staff will document the results by electronic form each time a test is provided
- Staff or Volunteer will explain (if needed) to results to the resident
- Resident will sign drug screen form with explanation (if needed) of results
- Staff or Volunteer will sign drug screen form (if needed)
- Staff or Volunteer will file results in chart and document on progress report
- Positive results will require a consultation or an update if detox or continued use is a risk.
Hair Follicle Screening Procedure is as follows; any deviation of this procetive can cause the test to be void
- Resident must ask to take the hair follicle drug test.
- Resident must pay for the test in full prior to the test being administered
- Staff or Volunteer will get the appropriate test
- Staff or Volunteer will open the sealed package in front of the resident
- Staff or Volunteer will cut with clean scissors a few (5-10) strands of hair from no less than 5 random spots on the residents head.
- Staff or Volunteer will then (in front of resident) follow the procedure provided by the hair follicle testing agency.
- Staff or Volunteer will ship the package from the appropriate shipping company without delay.
- Staff or Volunteer will sign drug screen form stating that a hair follicle has been completed
- Positive results will require a consultation or an update if detox or continued use is a risk.
If a Resident *fails to provide a drug screen the following procedure shall be followed:
- The test is automatically listed as a positive - refusal drug screen
- The resident will be placed on at least a twenty-four (24) hours restriction for failure to comply with program rules and requirements.
- This will be indicated on the progress report.
- The resident will be advised to notify their referral sources prior to the progress reports being sent out.
- If using is a concern - the individual may be required to take another drug screen the next day or for sequential days to be determined by the house manager and referral sources.
- If a resident misses sequential drug tests, each sequential time after than the resident will be given a written notification that they are at risk of discharge and will be under restriction for 24 hours (times # of incidences) the restriction consequences are in the rules. (i.e 4th time 4 days restriction; 5th time 5 days restriction)
*If the Resident can provide PRIOR to the missed drug screen that they have taken a drug screen at another approved location; their drug screen will not be counted as a failure to provide. Approved locations will be probation, court, doctors office, Department of Children Services and Treatment Providers. Any other location or reason will be reviewed on a case by case basis and subject to approval my a majority of the board.
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Employee or Residents Signature Date