Drugs Don’t Work
About the Program
Drugs Don't Work (DDW) is a program of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc. In Georgia, it runs as a partnership among the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (Office of Prevention Services and Programs), and local chambers like ours.
As mandated by Georgia law (OCGA 34-9-410), DDW is the state's official drug-free workplace services provider. This nationally recognized program helps employers build healthier, more productive teams—and earn a 7.5% discount on their Workers' Compensation insurance.
BENEFITS
Save 7.5% on Workers' Compensation premiums. That adds up to thousands of dollars a year.
Cut Workers' Compensation claims in half. Substance abusers carry 300% higher medical costs and are 3.6 times more likely to injure themselves or a co-worker.
Lift productivity and morale. Employees who abuse drugs or alcohol are proven to be one-third less productive.
Reduce absenteeism and turnover. Substance abusers are 2.5 times more likely to miss 8 or more days of work each year.
5 Simple Steps to a Drug-Free Workplace
1. PUT A SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY IN PLACE.
Your company needs a substance abuse policy that satisfies every requirement of Georgia law. The president of the company signs it, and every employee receives a copy. Need a starting point? We can provide a sample policy for your reference.
2. DRUG TEST EMPLOYEES.
You don't have to test your entire workforce. State certification requires drug screens on new employees hired on or after the date your policy takes effect, in these situations:
- Pre-employment
- Post-accident
- Reasonable suspicion (documentation of unacceptable work performance required)
- Post-rehabilitation
Companies that choose to add random drug screens must wait 60 days before testing existing employees and follow the random-testing guidelines in the Rules and Guidelines of a Drug-Free Workplace handbook.
3. MAKE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ACCESSIBLE.
Make sure your team knows how to reach employee assistance resources. Post a treatment provider list and other counseling options on your company bulletin board or in the break room. Your health insurance provider may already offer this service under your existing plan.
4. KEEP EMPLOYEE AND SUPERVISOR EDUCATION ONGOING.
One hour of employee training and one hour of supervisor training must be completed within the first 60 days of implementing your DDW policy. From there, training continues year-round: employees receive a monthly newsletter and supervisors a bi-monthly one (6 per year), both delivered by email through your local chamber.
5. APPLY FOR STATE CERTIFICATION.
Once the first hour of employee training and the first hour of supervisor training are complete and the 60-day grace period has passed, you can submit your application for state certification on day 61. Your DDW coordinator is on hand to walk you through it. Certification renews annually. When your state certificate arrives, send a copy to your local chamber and your insurance provider to activate the 7.5% discount on your Workers' Compensation premiums.
Drugs Don't Work Program Administration
Drugs Don't Work is a program of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Inc., and serves as Georgia's official drug-free workplace services provider as mandated by state law (OCGA 34-9-410). In Georgia, it operates as a partnership among the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and local chambers of commerce.
The Robins Regional Chamber proudly coordinates the program locally.
ROBINS REGIONAL CHAMBER DRUGS DON’T WORK COORDINATOR
AURA LEE DURHAM
478-922-8585