Last updated : December 16, 2024
If anyone knows how to turn Setbacks into Bouncebacks, it’s the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA)! As the 2020 NDASA conference ended, the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, with better timing in 2021, the NDASA conference came back strong in St. Louis just as the country began reopening!
With 250 live attendees and over 80 joining in virtually, the member-owned NDASA organization provided an amazing conference with top-notch training programs, relevant drug & alcohol testing content and valuable industry networking opportunities.
As USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio owner helped lead the event this year, we thought this was a great opportunity to share a recap of what was covered!
Keynote Speaker Highlight: Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM
Live and virtual attendees agreed that this was one of the best keynote speeches at ANY conference they have ever attended! Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM, kicked things off with his compelling keynote address that focused on the importance of acceptance, diversity and dignity at work. He emphasized the need for a partnership with SHRM and the drug & alcohol testing industry to ensure safe workplaces.
Mr. Taylor, Jr. brings a wide variety of experience to SHRM as a lawyer, author, former president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and has held various positions in the corporate world in both the public and private sectors. SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world with over 300,00 members in 165 countries. SHRM impacts the lives of 115 million workers every day.
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. emphasized that our groups – NDASA and SHRM – have a common goal of keeping workplaces safe. He stated that our work is purposeful, especially when you consider that you spend 1/3rd of your life at work!
The pandemic has created a great deal of change in the workplace, some of which may be permanent and some that may fade away. Here is an overview of things to consider in your workplace:
- More than half of employees surveyed said they want to work for a company that requires COVID vaccinations. Therefore, this is something employers need to consider.
- In general, employees indicate that they will feel safe at work when 70% of the people are vaccinated.
- Employers may also need to consider more hybrid options that have been born out of the pandemic model. However, these are some points to keep in mind relating to hybrid workplace models:
- Culture – division when some are in and some are out
- Mental health – people tied to a computer (no balance and they feel like they are always working) in addition to feeling isolated and depressed
- Diversity – do the people who go in to the office have an advantage over those who work from home?
Mr. Taylor Jr. suggests that the main things that we all need to think about, be concerned about and plan around are diversity and division, and we must work and live empathy. NDASA looks forward to working more closely with SHRM as we move forward in the post-pandemic workplace.
Keynote Speaker Highlight: Patrice Kelly, Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC)
Patrice Kelly from the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance visited the conference virtually to update the audience on the most recent happenings and changes occurring at the Department of Transportation. Patrice Kelly earned the Industry Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership to the drug and alcohol testing industry. Here are the highlights from her presentation:
- The DOT CCF is being revised and will not have donor instructions on the back, and will have a section for oral fluid testing, even though the DOT has not approved oral fluid testing yet. It is recommended that you print and laminate the donor instructions and provide them to the donor. The OMB reviews forms every three years, and that is why these updates are being made now. Old forms can be used through 8/30/21.
- Drug & alcohol testing professionals must have all collectors signed up for the ODAPC list serve.
- Collectors must improve reporting of shy bladders for the MRO.
- If an employee refuses to test, the employer makes the decision about what is considered a refusal.
- Collectors cannot ask donors to remove religious headwear (unless the collector believes that the donor is trying to hide something)
- When the MRO cancels a test – IT’S OVER!
Conference Session Recap: Governmental Affairs Committee
The Governmental Affairs Committee session reviewed the importance of NDASA’s advocacy and partnerships in Washington, D.C., as well as the State Affiliates role of being ambassadors of the organization within their states and as liaisons to NDASA.
Chairman Jim Greer and Vice Chairman Brian Drew underscored the fact that it’s imperative that NDASA continues to advocate on behalf of the drug & alcohol testing industry with the proper people on Capitol Hill through the industry’s PAC. An excellent example of this is the work that was done in 2020 by NDASA to help create a safety carve-out for the M.O.R.E. Act that will serve to decriminalize cannabis and remove it from the list of controlled substances. It is important to protect the drug & alcohol testing industry as other groups may eventually look to eliminate drug testing in the workplace.
Conference Session Recap: State Affiliates Meeting
At the meeting the State Affiliates elected a new representative, Mickey Moore of TOMO Drug Testing. This is a two-year term and the position also now holds a seat on the Board of Directors. The State Affiliates program was designed so that each state would have a representative who would be the eyes and ears for industry-related information in their state, and they would then report that information to NDASA. This information may include State-specific information relating to drug and alcohol testing laws, pending legislation, employers’ rights, needed responses from our industry, etc. This allows the Association the opportunity to be on the leading edge of all information to then advocate on behalf of all of us in the industry. Chairman Jim Greer emphasized the critical role our State Affiliates play within the organization. If you are interested in becoming a State Affiliate or Associate Affiliate (or joining any other committee), contact Jo McGuire at [email protected]
Keynote Speaker Highlight: Quest Diagnostics 2020 Drug Testing Index
Dr. Barry Sample and Ashlyn Hazard of Quest Diagnostics educated the audience on the trends in the workplace for positive drug test results. Dr. Barry Sample also presented the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index as he earned the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding service and meaningful contributions to the drug and alcohol testing industry.
NDASA Conference 2021 Recap: Turning Setbacks into Bouncebacks
As you can tell, the 2021 NDASA Conference truly turned setbacks into bouncebacks. The USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio owner was honored to contribute to an industry-leading event and we look forward to the NDASA conference in 2022 being held in Indianapolis! If you want to learn more about drug & alcohol testing for your business, please contact us here.
