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From: Robert Swotinsky MD
Date: 21 Oct 2004
Time: 08:37:44 -0700
Remote Name: 4.17.131.55
The SAP evaluation process as described by DOT (e.g., see ODAPC. The Substance Abuse Professional Guidelines. Wash DC, March 2004) does not normally include drug analyses or other diagnostic testing.
Most SAPs are licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, or other non-physicians. These types of professionals could sent their clients for drug tests as part of the SAP evaluation process, and perhaps some do, but from what I've seen this is typical. Instead, when they see clients for initial SAP evaluations, they make treatment recommendations based on the information at hand. Remember, too, that there are many time and financial pressures that would discourage testing as part of the initial evaluation process. The time pressure is the client's overwhelming desire to hasten the process so that he/she can get employed (get a paycheck). It is more likely that a SAP would order a test, or recommend a test, during the follow-up SAP evaluation process. Specifically, the SAP might suggest a self-pay drug test prior to the worker undergoing his / her company-sponsored drug test. This would make most sense if the worker had tested positive for marijuana after extended use and if there was a possibility that he/she might test positive at the return-to-duty test despite nonuse.