Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 21, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 5 <br /> SUBJECT: Drug and Alcohol Policy and Employee Assistance Program <br /> DEPARTMENT: Personnel PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director, <br /> Extension 2550 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive information on and discuss the County's Drug and Alcohol Testing <br /> policy and related Employee Assistance Program information. <br /> BACKGROUND: In June 2002 the Board decided to schedule time at a fall work session to <br /> discuss the County's Drug and Alcohol policy. Staff's understanding is that the Board wishes to <br /> discuss the County's policy covering positive drug or alcohol tests and the fact there is some <br /> different latitude within policy for handling a positive alcohol test as compared to a positive test <br /> for illegal drugs. <br /> Policy Development Background <br /> As background, the County adopted its present Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy in January <br /> 1996. This occurred in follow up to new Federal rules issued by the Federal Department of <br /> Transportation (FTA). Under the FTA rules, local governments are required to do drug and <br /> alcohol testing for employees who perform certain transportation-related functions. The County <br /> has positions in several departments including Aging/OPT, Public Works, Recreation and Parks <br /> and Solid Waste that are covered under the FTA rules. <br /> As part of the process of implementing the Federal drug and alcohol testing regulations and <br /> considering the County policy, Personnel formed a representative employee task group to <br /> provide input and direction in policy development. The Drug and Alcohol Task Group included <br /> representatives from Aging/OPT, Commissioners' Office, Emergency Management, Human <br /> Rights and Relations, Public Works, Purchasing and Central Services and Sheriff's Department <br /> as well as the County's Employee Relations Consortium. <br /> The task group examined specific issues including the scope of testing coverage and handling <br /> of a positive test. In this process, the group solicited input on its recommendations from <br /> department heads and members of the County's Employee Relations Consortium. Based on <br /> input received, the task group developed the County Drug and Alcohol Testing policy. The <br />