{"operation":"document","citation":"PI-97-001","title":"National Counseling Resource — Pipeline Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1997-04-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"PI-97-001 response to National Counseling Resource concerning 199.243.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-97-001.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-97-001.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-pi-97-001","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/Pipeline/1997/PI97001.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nDepartment of Transportation\nOffice of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance\n49 CFR Part 40 Interpretation Notice\nQuestion: Do the Department’ s rules permit the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)\nto recommend a follow-up testing plan if education rather than treatment is the\nassistance recommended to address an individual’ s drug and/or alcohol problems?\nResponse: The Department’ s rules require the SAP to prescribe a follow-up testing\nprogram if assistance is required to address an employee’ s alcohol misuse and/or use\nof controlled substances. This assistance can be in the form of education or treatment.\nSelf-help groups and community lectures when attendance can be independently\nverified, and bonafide drug and alcohol education courses are considered appropriate\neducation experiences. In-patient hospitalization, day-treatment, and out-patient\ncounseling programs are considered appropriate treatment experiences. Therefore, if\nthe SAP recommends education or treatment to occur, follow -up testing will be\nrequired.\nThe follow-up testing plan (with a minimum of 6 tests during the first 12 months\nfollowing the employee’ s return to safety-sensitive duties) should be provided as part of\nthe information the SAP furnishes the employer following the SAP’ s face-to-face\n“ Follow-Up Evaluation” with the employee.\nDuncan mcpherson\nNational counseling resource\n6821 woodmore oaks drive\nOrangevale, ca 95662\nDear Mr. McPherson:\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nThank you for your recent correspondence to the Department of Transportation’ s Office of\nDrug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance. In your letter you inquire as to the follow-up\ntesting requirements a Substance Abuse Professional is to provide to the employer when drug\nand alcohol education is the recommended assistance required for your clients. The attached\ninterpretation is provided in response.\nIf you wish further clarification, please contact me at (202) 366-3784. Thank you for your\ncontinuing interest in transportation matters.\nSincerely,\nJim L. Swart\nDrug and Alcohol Policy Advisor\nAttachment","truncated":false,"body_characters":2075}