How to Find a SAP Program for Truck Drivers

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), a safety-sensitive employee is anyone holding a professional position where they are responsible for his/her own safety or the safety of other people. After several significant accidents, Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Testing Act of 1991 requiring a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace. This Act applies to all DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees, regardless of transportation mode.

An employee violates the Act when they test positive for alcohol and/or drugs or if they refuse to participate in the test. When an employee fails, they are immediately referred for participation in a return to duty program with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Please read on to discover an easier way to find a SAP program for truck drivers, bus drivers, or employees that you have in any other safety-sensitive position.

Access to a SAP Program for Truck Drivers

If one of your employees is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at work, they are endangering themselves, their coworkers, and the public. Testing positive means an immediate removal from all safety-sensitive duties. Next, as mentioned above, the employee must complete a SAP return to duty program. A SAP is a certified or licensed professional specializing in the treatment of alcohol and substance abuse-related disorders who has completed a DOT training and test along with requalification requirements.

First, the SAP will evaluate the employee. Next, based on the evaluation, the SAP makes recommendations for treatment or education. Treatment may include counseling, intensive outpatient therapy, inpatient drug and/or alcohol treatment, or other steps. Once the employee successfully complies with the program, the SAP will re-evaluate them and make a recommendation for a return-to-duty and follow-up drug and/or alcohol testing. Only then may they be considered for return to their safety-sensitive position.

SRS Takes the Burden Off Employers

After an employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test, employers are required to provide them with a list of SAPs. However, it can be quite challenging to keep an up-to-date list of DOT qualified SAPs. Because the DOT requires additional education hours and courses, SAPs who don’t meet these requirements are no longer considered qualified. And, should your employee complete their program with a SAP who is not qualified, they will have to redo the entire program.

It would be an immense burden to have to go through your SAP list and continuously check for current qualifications. You can eliminate this responsibility by partnering with SRS (SAP Referral Services).

SAP Referral Services

At SRS we guarantee that your employee’s initial contact will be with a SAP whose qualifications are up to date. Additionally, thanks to our wide network of clinicians, employees are generally able to connect with a SAP within 72 business hours of reaching out to us. Give your employees the best chance of a quick and responsible return-to-duty process by partnering with SRS.

We offer easy access to a SAP program for truck drivers and other safety-sensitive employees. With over 3,000 locations nationwide, employees are most likely connected to a SAP close to them. Click here to learn how SRS helps employers just like you.

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.