FOI Document #1
s47F
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
s47F
s47F
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #1
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
FOI Document #2
DRUG AND ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM
What it means to you.
Does the drug and alcohol policy apply to me?
What if I’m called back into work?
The drug and alcohol policy as part of the Drug and
If you are rostered on-call and receiving a restriction
Alcohol Management Program applies to all Customs
allowance you must not equal or exceed 0.02%
and Border Protection
workers.
alcohol limit.
A Customs and Border Protection worker
means all
If you are not receiving a restriction allowance and are
staff members and officers employed by Customs
unexpectedly recalled to duty you must not equal or
and Border Protection including
seconded staff from
exceed 0.05% alcohol limit.
other public service agencies and statutory authorities,
How will the agency determine who needs to be
consultants and contractors.
tested?
You said all ‘Customs and Border Protection
You may be tested in the following circumstances:
workers’ are to be tested. Who does this include?
Mandatory testing: you can be tested at any time you
This includes all Customs and Border Protection staff
are at work with Customs and Border Protection.
and officers including the CEO and Senior Executives,
seconded personnel from other public service
“Certain” incident testing: you will be tested for
alcohol and testable drugs after an accident or serious
agencies and statutory authorities, consultants and
incident that occurs while you are performing, or
contractors.
available to perform a duty.
When will testing start?
This may include the discharge of a firearm, or
A pilot programme will begin in March 2013 with
person/s killed or seriously injured in any work related
incident.
expected roll out of the full scheme to be July this year.
Targeted testing: you may be tested if a reasonable
Who will be tested during the pilot programme?
suspicion exists that you are affected by alcohol or a
All SES will be participating in the pilot.
prohibited drug, or if you are subject to an official
investigation. This includes any referrals, information
Members of the following workgroups will participate in
and intelligence that has been provided to the Integrity
the pilot:
and Professional Standards Branch.
-
Passengers Airport Operations - Brisbane
Pre-employment applicant screening: Customs and
-
Enforcement Operations
Border Protection will introduce drug and alcohol
-
Maritime Operations Support Division
screening as part of the recruitment process.
-
Border Protection Command
-
Strategy Finance Integrity Division
How will samples for the tests be collected?
What is the policy for drug and alcohol in the
Alcohol testing will be undertaken by approved breath
workplace?
analysis equipment.
There is a
zero tolerance for the possession, use and
Drug testing will be undertaken by urine sampling.
selling of
prohibited drugs.
What will happen if I test positive in a drug test?
Customs and Border Protection is committed to
providing an
alcohol and drug free workplace.
All drug tests that are verified positive will result in a
Code of Conduct inquiry.
You must
not be impaired by alcohol while rostered
on duty, irrespective of the type of duty performed.
If you are found to have breached the Code of
Conduct any sanctions imposed will reflect the severity
All mandatory, targeted and certain incident alcohol
testing will test to determine whether workers are
of the breach. This
may include at the higher end of
under the 0.02% limit.
the scale, termination of employment.
The tolerance levels for drug and alcohol testing
does
What happens if I test 0.02% or more for alcohol?
not replace limits applied to specific positions in
the agency e.g. use of force positions.
If you are on duty and test 0.02% or more this will
initiate a Code of Conduct inquiry. Any sanctions
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V2.1
FOI Document #2
imposed will reflect the severity of the misconduct if
What are the qualifications of the testers?
you are found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct.
Training will be required for all testers. Qualifications
Your return to work, including the type of work you do,
would be in accordance with the Australian Standard
will be managed by your Manager/Supervisor in the
for the tests.
first instance.
What are the prohibited drugs?
If you are unexpectedly recalled to duty and not
Prohibited drugs currently include narcotic substances
receiving a restriction allowance you must not equal or
within the meaning of the
Customs Act 1901. In
exceed 0.05%. If you do test positive this will result in
addition the CEO may declare other drugs to also be
a Code of Conduct inquiry. If you are found to be in
prohibited.
breach of the Code of Conduct any sanction imposed
will reflect the severity of the breach.
Testable prohibited drugs may include, but are not
limited to opiates, amphetamines, cannabis
What support mechanisms will be provided during
metabolites, cocaine metabolites, anabolic steroids.
an investigation process, and following an
investigation process where the employee is
Is there ever acceptable prohibited drug use?
‘cleared’ of any wrong doing?
No. Customs and Border Protection takes a ‘zero-
All existing support mechanisms, including the
tolerance’ policy to prohibited drugs.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will be available
What if I am taking prescription medications?
to staff during an investigation.
You will have the opportunity to declare any
If you have been investigated and ‘cleared’ of any
medications you’re using to the tester prior to the test
misconduct, you have the right to attend work free
being conducted.
from any discrimination and/or harassment.
If you return a positive test you will have the
What happens if I refuse a drug and alcohol test?
opportunity to discuss the results with the Medical
A refusal or failure to consent to a test is considered a
Review Officer (MRO) and I&PS.
serious matter and is a potential breach of the Code of
The MRO will determine if the test results are within
Conduct. This would result in a Code of Conduct
acceptable parameters of the prescription.
inquiry.
Does this mean I can’t take cold & flu tablets if I
If an allegation of a breach of the Code of Conduct is
have a cold?
proven, such refusal or failure may result in a sanction.
This
may include at the higher end of the scale,
No you can still take prescription or over the counter
termination of employment.
medication. However if you are taking cold and flu
Can I consume alcohol at work?
tablets and must present for a test, you should declare
it to the tester.
No, Customs and Border Protection will be
an alcohol
free workplace.
The appropriate use of cold & flu medication, as per
any instructions provided by the manufacturer or by a
However the draft policy allows for alcohol to be
consumed at
‘designated social clubs’ that are
physician is not a cause for concern.
licenced only and
approved by a Senior Executive
What will happen to me if I self declare that I abuse
Service officer.
legal drugs or alcohol?
You may only consume alcohol at these venues while
Customs and Border Protection will support those who
off duty.
self declare to the best of its ability with the resources
You may be entitled to consume alcohol during official
available.
hospitality events provided you uphold the APS values
and remain under 0.05%.
However, the abuse of illegal drugs is inconsistent with
our role at the border. Customs and Border Protection
Who will be doing the testing?
will consider each matter on a case by case basis.
For the purposes of the pilot programme a combination
of authorised Customs and Border Protection officers
The outcomes will depend on the nature of the abuse
and independent testers will do the drug and alcohol
and the individual circumstances of the officer.
testing. The CEO has the power to authorise, in
writing, who can administer the test. Further details
will be provided.
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FOI Document #2
How will the reporting of test outcomes occur?
Protection workers are to remain under the 0.02%
prescribed concentration of alcohol at all times while
If you are tested, you will be kept informed of all stages
on duty.
of the testing process, including the outcomes.
You must
not be impaired by alcohol while rostered
Who will have access to information about a
on duty, irrespective of the type of duty performed.
positive test or if I self declare the use of drugs or
alcohol?
Customs and Border Protection is committed to
providing an
alcohol and drug free workplace.
Information will be maintained by I&PS.
How often will I get tested?
Positive test information will be made available to:
All Customs and Border Protection workers will be
-
MRO
tested at least once over three years.
-
National Manager I&PS
-
National Manager Workplace Relations
What happens if I work in an area like the airport
-
investigating officer as required, and
that has other drug and alcohol testing programs
-
other officers on a ‘need to know’ basis.
in place?
What does an MRO do?
If you are working in an environment that is subject to
CASA or the
Navigation Act 2012 drug and alcohol
An MRO is a registered medical practitioner who has
testing requirements and Customs and Border
competence in the field of interpreting drug and alcohol
Protection drug and alcohol testing the requirement is
test results, including professional knowledge of
to meet the lowest prescribed level of those testing
substance use disorders.
programs. Further guidance for staff will be provided
at a later time.
How long before I can come back to work if I return
a positive test to alcohol or legal drugs?
You can return to work once you are no longer under
the influence of alcohol or other drugs and depending
on the type of investigation being conducted. The
seriousness of the alleged breach will be a determining
Should you have any questions or like to
factor.
provide feedback please contact the Integrity
Any return to work would be conditional on a negative
Implementation team at:
drug and alcohol test.
xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Can I consume alcohol during my lunch break?
If returning to work from a break you should be mindful
of the policy which states Customs and Border
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FOI Document #3
DRUG AND ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM (DAMP): Drug and Alcohol Testing Pilot Program
What is the drug and alcohol testing pilot program?
Who will be doing the testing during the pilot?
Staff were advised early last month that a pilot program
Medvet are independent testers and have been contracted
was going to take place to introduce drug and alcohol
to conduct the drug and alcohol testing. They will be
testing to Customs and Border Protection as part of the
accompanied by officers from the Customs and Border
integrity measures that were legislated last year.
Protection DAMP Coordination Unit (DCU) who will
conduct the evidentiary alcohol breath tests if required.
When will the pilot program start?
How will samples for the tests be collected?
The pilot program started on 13 March 2013 and it is
expected the full scheme will be in place by July this year.
Alcohol testing will be undertaken by approved breath
analysis equipment.
Will I be tested during the pilot?
Drug testing will be undertaken by urine sampling. It will
All SES will be tested during the pilot.
give an on the spot indication of whether you may have
Only a proportion of members from the following work
drugs in your system.
groups will participate in the pilot:
If the sample indicates the presence of drugs this is
-
Passengers Airport Operations - Brisbane
considered a ‘presumptive non-negative test’. It will
-
Enforcement Operations
specify the broad category of drug that is in your system -
-
Maritime Operations Support Division
not the specific drug. This sample will then be sent to an
-
Border Protection Command
independent laboratory for testing to confirm the specific
-
Strategy Finance Integrity Division
drug.
NOTE: contractors, other government officials and people
What happens if I test positive for drugs during the
in other work groups will not be tested during the pilot.
pilot?
What is the policy for drugs and alcohol in the
If you test presumptive non-negative, that is, your urine
workplace?
sample shows the presence of prohibited drugs, Medvet
will package your sample and send it to a laboratory for
There is
zero tolerance for the possession, use and
independent testing.
selling of
prohibited drugs.
The laboratory results will be verified by a Medical Review
Customs and Border Protection is a
drug and alcohol
Officer (MRO).
free workplace.
Until your tests are returned and verified by the MRO your
You must
not be impaired by alcohol while rostered on
National Manager or Director will take into account all
duty, irrespective of the type of duty performed.
available and relevant information at the time of your drug
How will the agency determine who needs to be tested
test before deciding whether to:
during the pilot?
-
return you to normal duties at the time of the test,
Only those work groups identified will be tested and they
-
return you to work but on modified duties that take into
may be tested in the following circumstances:
account any risks associated with the presumptive test
result and your work environment, or
Random testing: you can be tested at any time you are at
-
place you on paid event leave until the independent
work with Customs and Border Protection.
laboratory test results are verified by the MRO. This
result will determine whether a Code of Conduct
Certain incident testing: you will be subject to drug and
inquiry is needed.
alcohol testing after an accident or serious incident that
occurs while you are performing, or available to perform, a
Your National Manager or Director will speak with you and
duty.
seek advice from the MRO or the DAMP officer to make
their decision.
This may include the discharge of a firearm, a car accident
or person/s killed or seriously injured in any work related
If you are found to have breached the Code of Conduct
incident.
any sanctions imposed will reflect the severity of the
breach. This
may include at the higher end of the scale,
Targeted testing: you may be tested if a reasonable
termination of employment.
suspicion exists that you are affected by a prohibited drug
or alcohol, or if you are subject to an official investigation.
This includes any referrals, information and intelligence
that has been provided to the Integrity and Professional
Standards Branch.
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FOI Document #3
What if I am taking prescription medications?
nature of the drug or drugs identified and type of
investigation being conducted.
You will have the opportunity to declare any medications
you’re using to the tester prior to the test being conducted,
The seriousness of the alleged breach will be a
if you choose to.
determining factor.
Any return to work would be conditional
on a negative drug and alcohol test.
Be aware that prescription medication may contain some
level of prohibited drugs. This means your urine sample
What does an MRO do?
may show that you have prohibited drugs in your system.
An MRO is a registered medical practitioner who has
If you return a confirmed positive test you will have the
competence in the field of interpreting drug and alcohol
opportunity to discuss the results with the MRO. The MRO
test results, including professional knowledge of substance
will verify if the test results are within acceptable
use disorders.
parameters of the prescription.
For positive drug tests verified by the independent
Does this mean I can’t take cold and flu tablets if I
laboratory the MRO will study the results and confirm
have a cold?
whether the drug test results are for illicit drugs or are
within acceptable levels of prescription medications.
No - you can still take prescription or over the counter
medication. However if you are taking cold and flu tablets
But this is a pilot program, doesn’t that mean my test
and must present for a test, you should declare it to the
doesn’t count?
tester.
No - your test will count. If you test positive to either drugs
The appropriate use of cold and flu medication, as per any
or/and alcohol disciplinary steps may be taken.
instructions provided by the manufacturer or by a
physician, is not a cause for concern.
What happens if I refuse a drug and alcohol test
during the pilot?
What happens if I test 0.02% or more for alcohol in the
pilot?
A refusal or failure to consent to a test is considered a
serious matter and is a potential breach of the Code of
If you are on duty and test 0.02% or more on the alcohol
Conduct. This would result in a Code of Conduct inquiry.
breath screening test you will need to undertake another
breath test using an
evidentiary breath test instrument.
What will happen to me if I self declare that I abuse
If the evidentiary breath test establishes you are 0.02% or
legal drugs or alcohol?
over you will be relieved of duty for the remainder of that
Customs and Border Protection will support those who self
period of duty. You will be able to access any leave you
declare to the best of its ability with the resources
are entitled to for this period.
available. However, the abuse of illegal drugs is
If you are unexpectedly recalled to duty and not receiving
inconsistent with our role at the border. Customs and
a restriction allowance you must not equal or exceed
Border Protection will consider each matter on a case by
0.05%.
case basis.
What is an evidentiary standard breath test
The outcomes will depend on the nature of the abuse and
instrument?
the individual circumstances of the officer.
Who will have access to information about a
Your initial breath test will be taken by a device similar to
confirmed positive drug or alcohol test?
that used by the police when you are pulled over for a
random breath test.
Positive test information may be made available to:
Should you test over the acceptable Customs and Border
-
MRO
Protection alcohol limit you will be required to take a test
-
National Manager Integrity and professional Standards
on a machine called the evidentiary breath test instrument.
-
National Manager Workplace Relations
-
investigating officer as required, and
This alcohol test provides a result that is admissible as
-
other officers on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.
evidence in court. This instrument has to fulfil very tight
requirements and only persons certified by the CEO are
allowed to operate them.
This is a pilot program and we want to hear
How long before I can come back to work if I return a
from you!
positive test to drugs or alcohol?
You can return to work once you are no longer under the
Do you feel you are getting enough information
influence of alcohol and as agreed by your National
and is it what you want to know?
Manager or Director. For drugs it will be dependent on the
How would you like to receive further
information?
Let the Integrity Implementation team know:
xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx
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FOI Document #4
Drug and alcohol testing in the workplace
The testing process simplified
You are selected for testing.
Alcohol testing equipment
Direction is given where to attend testing location.
Breath screening test
You attend test location by appointment.
You meet an independent testing provider at the test
location to complete screening tests.
You complete paperwork and an independent
evidentiary breath test instrument
testing provider answers any questions.
NOTE: Only D.O.B and employee ID number are recorded.
No names are listed on any paperwork.
You undergo an
You undergo a drug test
alcohol screening test.
by way of urine sample.
NOTE: If a urine sample cannot be
provided within an hour a oral fluid
Drug testing equipment
test will be conducted.
If you exceed the prescribed level
ch 2013
of alcohol at the screening test,
Presumptive onsite
an alcohol verification breath test
drug testing performed.
is conducted on an evidentiary
breath test instrument. This test
concurrent testing
is conducted by the Customs
If your sample shows the
DAMP officer.
presence of drugs your sample
is packaged up and sent to the
lab for independent testing.
Management action & Code of Conduct inquiry
if positive outcome is shown from testing.
oduced by Communication and Media – Mar
RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
Pr
Document Outline
