F O R Y O U R I N F O R M A T I O N
VERY IMPORTANT
ON DEMAND DRUG TESTING
This FYI is released to remind Children’s Social Workers (Workers) of the policy regarding On Demand Testing referrals to the Department of Children and Family Services Drug Testing Program.Please refer to FYI 98-08 released in February 1998 that states the following: “Clients will not be allowed to test if they are not properly enrolled in POISONLAB’s program…”
POISONLAB/LabCorp has recently reported that many of our clients arrive at the collection sites with a referral from the Worker for On Demand Testing, but that the client has not been properly enrolled in the Drug Testing Program. These clients are turned away by the collection sites and are not being tested.
Without the Department’s Drug Testing Referral Form on file for each client, POISONLAB/LabCorp does not have the necessary information (e.g., Worker’s name and office location) on where to forward the test results, or to notify the Worker of a no-show.
We recognize that a Worker’s request for on demand testing is of crucial importance. When the test does not occur, it poses a possible child safety risk; therefore, for child safety reasons, please follow the procedure at outlined in FYI 98-08:
“The Worker completes the form “Request For Drug Testing Other Than Per The DCFS Random Drug Testing Schedule” and immediately faxes it to POISONLAB/LabCorp at (858) 279-5087. If this request is at the initial point of referral to the Drug Testing Program, the referral form must be faxed along with the Request Form.”
We have given POISONLAB/LabCorp our assurance that the procedures for On Demand Testing will be followed. Thank you for your cooperation.
/ / CONTACT: Debbie Guiloff (213) 639-4586
APPROVED: ______
Paul Freedlund, Chief