NASA Drug Testing

It is the country’s goal to fight substance abuse because of the harmful effects it can do to our mind, body, and the environment. Because it is not easy to fight drug use, the government is reaching out through different agencies in the country to promote a drug-free workplace for everyone. The National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) is one of the Federal agencies in the country that implements a drug-free workplace program. It is a drug testing program to make sure that all employees are healthy to help achieve a safe and productive workplace.

Here are some of the basic questions and answers about NASA’s drug-free workplace program:

Who are covered by the NASA drug-free workplace program?

To ensure the welfare and security of the country, it is expected from all employees to perform at their best without being impaired by any prohibited substances. All NASA employees are then subject to drug testing including the following:

• Those on Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments to NASA.
• Those on an Excepted Service Position
• Those assigned to NASA from another Federal agency.
• Appointed experts and consultants.
• Those under the NASA testing designated positions (TDP) (tested at random at least 4 times a year)

Under which circumstances are covered employees tested for substance use?

According to the NASA drug-free workplace program, employee testing is conducted under the following circumstances:

• Pre-employment
• Random testing (at least 4 times a year)
• Reasonable suspicion
• Unsafe practice or accident testing
• Voluntary
• Follow-up

What are the drug prohibitions?

The NASA drug-free workplace program tests for the following illegal drugs:

• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Opiates
• PCP
• Amphetamines

All samples are tested for the following drugs and their concentration levels to determine the frequency of use.

What is the drug testing procedure followed by NASA?

The NASA drug-free workplace program’s testing procedure uses a scientific and technical approach in testing samples. A urine sample is collected from employees then the sample is split into two. The first container is tested for traces of drugs. The second is kept just in case an employee wants a second opinion.

Only a trained collector is allowed to gather samples from employees. Collectors are trained to administer the proper way of collecting samples and filling out proper documents to complete the test. They are responsible in making sure that all samples are adequate and that samples reach laboratories safely. NASA works with laboratories approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

For more information on NASA’s drug-free workplace program, follow the link below:

http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_3792_001B_&page_name=Preface