According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 74 percent of the 12 million drug users in America are employed, and as many as 23 percent of them use illegal drugs on the job. Alcohol and drug users cost taxpayers more than $140 billion annually, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and Workers Compensation claims. Forty seven percent of all workplace accidents are alcohol and drug related. Abusers are absent an average of three weeks per year.
The Drugs Don't Work program is designed to empower business owners with the tools needed to ensure a drug-free workplace as well as a safe and productive work environment for current and future employees.
Increase productivity and reduce your company’s workers’ compensation premiums by up to 7.5 percent when you join Drugs Don’t Work. This unique program educates Stephens County employers about the prevention, intervention and elimination of substance abuse in the workplace. The program also provides the continuing education hours needed to obtain and maintain the drug free workplace certification.
The nationally recognized workplace program helps businesses maintain healthy and productive workforces and also reduces rates for drug screening and Employee Assistance Programs to make establishing your drug-free workplace easy and cost-effective. Drugs Don't Work is a partnership program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.
LEARN HOW YOU COULD SAVE YOUR COMPANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
Identify potential discipline issues before they become a problem.
Stop costly absenteeism and tardiness.
Cut your workers’ compensation claims in half.
Minimize employee turnover.
Reduce theft, violence and other forms of crime in the workplace.
Increase workforce morale.
Improve productivity.
Decrease claims due to negligent documentation policies.
To obtain drug-free workplace certification and qualify for the 7.5% discount on workers' compensation premiums complete the following steps:
Your company must have a substance abuse policy.
Your company must conduct drug testing.
Your company must conduct two hours of employee education each year.
Your company must conduct two hours of supervisor training each year.
Your company must either have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) or a referral list of treatment and counseling centers in your area.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Do I have to drug test all my employees?
A. No, you are required to test new employees and conduct random testing on a regular basis.
Q. Do I have to fire an employee who tests positive for drugs?
A. No, you have the right to fire an employee or take disciplinary action, which should include an agreement by the employee to undergo substance abuse treatment.
Q. Do all my employees have to go through the training at the same time?
A. No, you may divide your workforce into groups. Drugs Don’t Work attempts to make the program as user friendly as possible. Lectures, articles, and videos are some ways to accomplish the hours of training needed.
Q. Can I afford the drug testing?
A. Yes, Drugs Don’t Work members receive discounted drug testing rates from several local testing facilities.
Q. When does the premium credit begin to accrue?
A. The premium discount will be applied pro rata as of the date of certification (the date of approval by the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation).
Q. When does the insured actually receive payment for the credit?
A. The insured employer, however, will not receive payment for such credit until after the annual final premium audit under such policy.
Q. How long will an insured employer receive the 7-1/2 % discount?
A. The insured employer is entitled to receive the 7-1/2% premium credit for up to eight years from date of original certification. Thereafter, the premium discount shall be determined from the insured's experience rating plan or in the case of an insured not rated upon experience, the premium discount shall be determined by the Commissioner of Insurance based upon data received from the insurers.