Administration Of Substance Abuse Test

A Department approved contractor will administer the substance abuse test. The contractor must have training , through a licensed laboratory, in correct procedures for specimen collection and chain of custody. Specime n collection will be documented including labeling containers to prevent erroneous drug test results. The contractor must perform specimen collection, storage, and transportation to the laboratory site in a manner preventing specime n contamination or adulteration. A licensed laboratory will evaluate specimens. The laboratory will analyze specimen s for controlled substances and alcohol. (3-17-22) 01. Specimen Collection Procedures. The contractor must collect the specimen for substance abus e testing with due regard for the privacy of the participant providing the specimen and in a manner preventin g substitution or contamination of the specimen. (3-17-22) 02. Test Results. The Department will evaluate the results of the substance abuse test, before notifyin g the participant of them. The Department will evaluate all positive test results to verify the specimen was collected , transported, and analyzed under proper procedures. The Department will determine if other circumstances caused the positive test result. The Department will review and confirm medical information provided by the applicant. Afte r this evaluation is complete, the Department will notify the participant of the test results. If the test result is positive , the Department will inform the participant of available substance abuse treatment programs, and of the requiremen t for treatment to be TAFI eligible. (3-17-22) 03. Request for New Test. Within ten (10) calendar days of notice of a positive test result, th e participant can request a new test. The participant must notify the Department in writing of the intent to challenge th e test results. For those participants approved for TAFI, benefits will continue during the re-test process. (3-17-22) 123. TAFI APPROVAL BEFORE SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING AND TESTING RESULTS KNOWN. Applicants may be approved for TAFI, if otherwise eligible, when they agree to substance abuse screening. The y must complete the screening instrument and if required, participate in a substance abuse assessment. This include s providing a specimen for testing, if needed as part of the assessment process. The applicant should complete thes e steps within fifteen (15) calendar days of approval. If the process takes longer than fifteen (15) calendar days, throug h no fault of the applicant, TAFI may be approved if the participant is cooperative in satisfying their substance abus e screening requirements. (3-17-22)