Random urine drug screens are required for each client, the frequency of which is to be determined in order to determine the effectiveness of the program.  The results of each urine drug screen are to be recorded in the program folder. There must be adequate access to definitive qualitative laboratory analysis for use when necessary, meaning that if there is any question about a test administered by Recovery Works staff, there is an outside lab(s) that can be used. This paragraph outlines the specific legal requirement of Georgia Code 290-4-2.14 of the Rules and Regulations for Drug Abuse Treatment Programs.

  1. Urine drug screens are performed on clients at the time of admission as part of the preliminary physical assessment.
  2. Random drug screens are also performed on clients as they progress through the program, after return from a leave of absence or at the determination of the clinical team.
  3. The testing must be performed by a staff member trained in the drug-testing protocol as outlined below.
  4.  Anyone applying for employment at Recover Works must receive a drug screen and random drug testing of employees will be done.

Training Requirements

Anyone administering urine drug testing must be trained in the Recovery Works approved procedure and protocol, under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Professional Nurse.

The training is comprehensive and includes the following:

Observation:  In order to meet the chain of custody requirements, observation of urine as it is being collected is required.  This ensures that the urine belongs to the person in question.   The exact procedure, which includes eliminating possibilities of diluting the urine or bringing in drug-free urine in a container such as a colostomy bag, will be included in the training, which is to include practical application under direct observation of the trainer.

Drug Test Protocol:  Anyone administering a urine drug test must be trained in the procedural usage of the drug test they are using as established by the manufacturer.

Chain of Custody:    The forms used for drug test results must include the signature of the collector, tester and the client, with the times of collection and testing included on the form.  This will identify the Chain of Custody of the specimen when it is tested within the Recovery Works facility and is not sent out for results.

Continuing Staff Education:  Continuing staff education on the basics of drug testing and specimen collection will be done for all staff on a quarterly basis.  Those staff members who will be conducting tests will be required to demonstrate that they are able to accomplish the entire procedure correctly.  Training will be done as necessitated by a change in personnel.

Training Materials:  Training materials, which include information on terminology, observation, shy bladder, chain of custody, custody and control forms, detection period, false positives, confirmation of positives, donor identification and final review of results will be provided by Recovery Works.

Persons responsible for urine drug testing must pass an oral exam on these materials.

Clients, prospective staff members or staff members who dispute positive drug test results may request testing by an outside agency at their expense. Such testing must be done in a timely manner, to ensure that the possibility of drug presence is not eliminated because too much time has elapsed.