FTA Drug And Alcohol Regulation Updates

Issue 9

Introduction....

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published its final rules on prohibited drug use (49 CFR Part 653) and the prevention of alcohol misuse (49 CFR Part 654) on February 15, 1994.  Shortly thereafter, the FTA published the Implementation Guidelines for Drug and Alcohol Regulations in Mass Transit to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulations. 

Since the Guidelines were published there have been numerous amendments, interpretations, and clarifications to the Drug and Alcohol testing procedures and program requirements.

This publication is being provided  to update the Guidelines and inform your transit system of all of these changes.  This Update is the ninth in a series.

Inside....

FTA Provides Technical Assistance

        FTA continues its efforts to be responsive to the needs of its recipients and to provide additional technical assistance and information.  To address concerns raised by several state DOTs, the checklists provided on pages 3 and 4 of this Update include a separate checklist for state oversight.  In addition, this issue of the Update also provides information on resource materials and introduces a new course offered by the Transportation Safety Institute (see articles this page).  If readers would like to see articles on specific subjects related to FTA’s rules or would like to share “lessons learned” and solutions to common problems, please contact the newsletter editor (see page 6 for name, address, fax, and e-mail address).

TSI Course Offered

The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) plans to offer a new course that is designed to provide participants with the technical expertise necessary to perform a comprehensive assessment of their systems’ drug and alcohol testing programs.  The course will update participants on regulatory changes, FTA interpretations, best practices, and will include discussions on how to avoid the most common problems that systems and DOTs have encountered when implementing their programs.  As part of the course, participants will evaluate each component of their own program in light of the material presented and will develop an action plan to enhance their respective programs and to bring them into compliance with the FTA drug and alcohol testing regulations.

Two pilot programs are scheduled to be offered this year.  The first is scheduled for November 17 - 19 in Atlanta, and the second is scheduled for December 8 - 10 in Washington, D. C.  If funding is available, the course will be offered monthly beginning in March 1999 at locations around the country.    Individuals who are interested in registering for one of the courses should contact TSI at (405) 954-3682.

Fax On Demand

The Department of Transportation (DOT)/Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance provides an extensive “Fax On Demand” service that provides up-to-date information on DOT drug and alcohol testing policies, procedures, and guidelines.  The information includes the current Conforming Products Lists for Evidential Breath Testing Devices (EBT) and alcohol screening devices; up-to-date lists of DHHS-certified laboratories; order forms for BAT/STT training manuals, testing forms, and guidelines; and current news releases and letters of clarification regarding drug and alcohol testing issues.  The information can be obtained by calling  1-800-225-3784.

Mailing List Update

This newsletter is FTA’s primary tool to update and inform the transit industry of regulatory changes and FTA interpretations of the drug and alcohol testing regulations.  Nine issues have been published to-date. 

The mailing list continues to grow as more individuals recognize the need to stay informed.  However, over time, people change addresses, so we are making efforts to update our mailing list and bulk mail distribution method.  Please assist us by reviewing the mailing label on this issue and checking it for accuracy.  Make sure the address is as specific as possible.  If changes are necessary, please fax the corrections to RLS & Associates, Inc. at (937) 299-1055, being sure to note that this is a correction, not an addition to the mailing list.