Workplace Prevention Training Resources

A comprehensive Drug Free Workplace Program (DFWP) has the following five components:

  1. A Drug Free Workplace Policy
  2. Supervisor Education
  3. Employee Education
  4. Employee Assistance Program
  5. Drug Testing

The more components a DFWP has the more effective it is in reducing substance abuse problems in the workplace. DFWPs are not required to have drug testing. It is a piece of a comprehensive program. In Maine, if a workplace is looking to expand their DFWP to include a drug testing program, they must provide their employees with E.A.P. services. The following resources will help employers and employees in developing a comprehensive DFWP starting with a policy and then building from there with trainings and other other components.

The Drug Free Workplace Advisor is an online tool developed by the Federal Department of Labor for workplaces to use in developing a Drug Free Workplace Program specifically for their needs on how to establish and maintain an alcohol- and drug-free workplace. The employer/employee is guided through a series of screens and questions. By going through the advisor and answering the questions based on the needs of the workplace, the advisor captures responses and builds the detailed components of a customized drug free workplace program. The links below will provide you with steps to customizing a DFWP Program:

Policy Development

Supervisor Training

Employee Education

Employee Assistance Program

Drug Testing

The links below provide supervisor and employee training powerpoints and materials from the Department of Labor that workplaces may use to create a Drug Free Workplace. These materials may be modified for the needs of the workplace.

DOL Supervisor Training

DOL Employee Education

The training and education associated with developing a DFWP is crucial in setting the tone within the workplace. They are two building blocks in the development of a program with the DFWP policy as being the foundation. An effective policy is well written and is enforced in the manner stated in the policy and with consistency. Dovetailing these trainings as part of a new employees orientation will clarify expectations and standards that are to be met.

SAMHSA Workplace Model, Effective and Promising Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has created a list of Model, Effective, and Promising workplace substance abuse prevention programs.

Model, Effective, and Promising Programs are defined as follows:

  • SAMHSA Model Programs are Effective Programs whose developers have the capacity and have coordinated and agreed with SAMHSA to provide quality materials, training, and technical assistance to practitioners who wish to adopt their programs.
  • Effective Programs are prevention programs that produce a consistent positive pattern of results.
  • Promising Programs provide useful, scientifically defensible information about what works in prevention but do not yet have sufficient scientific support to meet standards set for Effective/Model programs.

For More information about SAMSHA Workplace Programs go to:

For a complete list of all the SAMSHA Prevention Programs go to: