While going through the process of certification to a Part 145 Repair Station, the question of whether we have to have a formal "Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse" program came up. I made myself dizzy doing searches on the FAA website.

My question is:

1) Do you have to have a formal drug program approved by the FAA, and

2) If so, what has to be included in it? (e.g. random testing)

I'd really appreciate some help from those of you 'in the know'. Thanks.

Yeah, their websites are pretty overwhelming sometimes.

Did you happen to find their ADAP page(s)?

http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/adap/index.cfm

Although I don't profess to be an expert, I believe it is a requirement to have a program and to conduct random testing for certain individuals based on job responsibilities.

Found the following language:

Drug and Alcohol Program: All applicants wishing to perform maintenance functions on Air Carrier / Commuter aircraft or components must provide a drug and alcohol program to be approved by the FAA.

At this URL:
http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/atl/n145toc.htm

While going through the process of certification to a Part 145 Repair Station, the question of whether we have to have a formal "Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse" program came up. I made myself dizzy doing searches on the FAA website.

My question is:

1) Do you have to have a formal drug program approved by the FAA, and

2) If so, what has to be included in it? (e.g. random testing)

I'd really appreciate some help from those of you 'in the know'. Thanks.

Having 3 FAR Part 145 certificated repair stations, we have one (companywide) formal 'Antidrug Plan/Alchohol Misuse Prevention Program' which is also FAA certificated.

You might find the following websites of interest.

Aeronautical Repair Station Association (http://www.arsa.org/)
ARSA Library (http://www.arsa.org/ARSA-library.html)

Scroll downpage till you get to Drug Testing. If you need answers to specific questions ARSA is the legal team/organization with the answers. Our company has ARSA Membership, and we "Don't leave home without it!"


Here's the FAA Drug Abatement Division Link
Office of Regulation and Certification
Aerospace Medicine
Drug Abatement Division (http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/adap/index.cfm)

Thanks very much for your input. I did find those sites and some interesting information on them - the most fitting document being the "Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 7 / Monday, January 12, 2004 / Rules and Regulations", which basically says 'you have to have a program'.

I know we need a program, but what it consists of is where I am stuck.

Muleskinner, could you perhaps post a generic example of a written drug program? I would really appreciate it.

The programs you are looking for are described in:

FAR 121 Appendix I, Drug Testing Program (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5c272d8ba4b77f0c4d1a29bd2baea0c6&rgn=div9&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.4.19.24.11.4.55&idno=14)

FAR 121 Appendix J Alcohol Misuse Program (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5c272d8ba4b77f0c4d1a29bd2baea0c6&rgn=div9&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.4.19.24.11.4.56&idno=14)

Muleskinner, could you perhaps post a generic example of a written drug program? I would really appreciate it.

Rob, check this out, while I try to dig up something else for you.

http://www.faa.gov/avr/aam/adap/Pamphlet2_files/pamphlet2.pdf

The programs you are looking for are described in:

FAR 21 Appendix I, Drug Testing Program (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5c272d8ba4b77f0c4d1a29bd2baea0c6&rgn=div9&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.4.19.24.11.4.55&idno=14)

FAR 21 Appendix J Alcohol Misuse Program (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5c272d8ba4b77f0c4d1a29bd2baea0c6&rgn=div9&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.4.19.24.11.4.56&idno=14)

Al, did you mean FAR Part 121? I know you did... :agree1:

Rob, it's FAR Part 121.

Al, did you mean FAR Part 121? I know you did... :agree1:

Rob, it's FAR Part 121.Yes I did. I'll fix it.

Rob,
The small repair station I worked for in the 90s used a consortium similar to this one (http://www.asbc-tsbc.com/asbc-tsbc-services.shtml). The one we used did not do the actual testing. Instead, we had to be escorted to a local laboratory for the test. You may want to find one suitable for your needs by Googling.

Muleskinner, could you perhaps post a generic example of a written drug program? I would really appreciate it.

The official written drug program is now a part of the part 145 certificated repair station's Operations Specifications (OPSpec). See attachment example.

Rob,
The small repair station I worked for in the 90s used a consortium similar to this one (http://www.asbc-tsbc.com/asbc-tsbc-services.shtml). The one we used did not do the actual testing. Instead, we had to be escorted to a local laboratory for the test. You may want to find one suitable for your needs by Googling.

We currently contract a clinic to do onsite.

Part 121 - yes, I knew that already.

Muleskinner, I did check out the pamphlet. Keep looking. :read:

A little hint: the U.S. Government we ain't! The repair station activity is kind of a side job at our machine shop - we have only 4 certificated repairmen. If we have to randomly drug test 25% of them, what shall we do? Play ennie meenie minie moe? "Charlie, you get it this year."

Googling: Al, thanks, but I've "been there, done that".

Our current practices related to drugs consists only of pre-employment testing and testing whenever there is an injury accident. From what I'm learning, we have a ways to go.

BTW, I thank all of you again for your extra time helping me out here. Once again, the Cove is paying off mightily!!!

A little hint: the U.S. Government we ain't! The repair station activity is kind of a side job at our machine shop - we have only 4 certificated repairmen. If we have to randomly drug test 25% of them, what shall we do? Play ennie meenie minie moe? "Charlie, you get it this year." Those four may not be the only ones required to be covered in the program!

I think I need a drink. :bonk:

Rob, anyone performing aircraft maintenance under the supervision of a repairman would be covered.

A little hint: the U.S. Government we ain't! The repair station activity is kind of a side job at our machine shop - we have only 4 certificated repairmen. If we have to randomly drug test 25% of them, what shall we do? Play ennie meenie minie moe? "Charlie, you get it this year."


Rob, What does your FAA/FSDO Primary Maintenance Inspector have to say about this. It's a bit difficult for me to relate, since I have three uniquely independent Part 145 certificated repair stations (same parent company), each having from 30 to 150 people that fit into the random 25%.

Do you already have certification, or are you seeking certification?

Rob, if you are in the consortium, the 25% is of the consortium's total population. So, it is possible to not have a test performed on your covered employees during the year. It's in the regulation.

I am the quality manager for a small division (20 employees) of a very large company. We are a repair station that has not performed any FAA work for several years, but we maintain our certificate. Last week I received a visit from the Drug Abatement Division. They called me up and told me when they would be here and gave me no choice. So, I my drug and alcohol program was just audited and we came through it with no findings. Attached is some of the guidance I used to ensure we were compliant. They perform a pretty extensive audit. If you have any specific questions, let me know and I will help you all I can.

Hi Folks, maybe I can save you a little searching. I'm a Technician Level 3 at a licensed FAA Repair Station (Part 145). At any time, we can be singled out for a random Federal drug and alcohol test. I don't know the penalties involved for coming up dirty, but I do know the program is required.

We are also restricted on the amount of alcohol we are allowed to consume; my understanding is that we cannot get legally drunk, even on our own time, though we can consume moderate amounts as long as there are no remaining effects when we report to work.

The test is completely random, and without any advance notice whatsoever. From the time we are informed of the test to the actual testing is roughly 30 minutes - the time it takes to drive to the testing facility. I've been at this company 15 months and have been tested 3 to 5 times.