Understanding drug and alcohol education programs

What is a drug and alcohol education program?

A drug and alcohol education program is a mandatory part of an organisation's Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) under Subpart 99B of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. Its aim is to raise awareness within aviation organisations about the:

• effects of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use on an individual's performance
• risks to aviation safety associated with AOD use
• responsibilities of both the organisation and individual employees
• AOD testing conducted by the DAMP organisation and by CASA
• DAMP organisation's individual AOD management policy.

What needs to be included in the education program?

To comply with Subpart 99B, a DAMP organisation's education program must include (at a minimum) the following components:

For SSAA employees ­- awareness of:

• the organisation's policy on AOD use
• AOD testing in that particular workplace
• support and assistance services for people who engage in problematic AOD use
• the potential risks to aviation safety from problematic AOD use.

Additionally for DAMP supervisors - education and training to manage people who engage in problematic AOD use.

CASA AOD eLearning

CASA has developed an eLearning package to assist organisations deliver SSAA employee and DAMP supervisor education.

This package is available on the CASA AOD eLearning and consists of two modules:

• 'Alcohol and Other Drugs - Managing the Risk' (for SSAA employees)
• 'Alcohol and Other Drugs - DAMP Supervisor' (for DAMP supervisors).

Is the CASA eLearning compulsory?

No. However, we recommend that the CASA AOD eLearning forms the basis of your organisation's education program, supplemented with relevant organisation-specific material. This is because the eLearning:

• provides a standard method of training your SSAA employees and DAMP supervisors
• is a simple way of meeting part of your organisation's DAMP education obligations
• is provided to you free of cost.

My organisation uses the CASA AOD eLearning - what else do we need to do?

The AOD eLearning contains general information relevant to all DAMP organisations. In addition, you must ensure that all SSAA employees (including contractors, subcontractors and volunteers) understand their individual responsibilities under your organisation's DAMP.

At a minimum, this means you must demonstrate that your SSAA employees are familiar with:
For SSAA employees -

• your organisation's policy on AOD use
• how AOD testing takes place in your particular workplace.

For DAMP supervisors - if CASA's DAMP supervisor eLearning module is completed, all the requirements of Part 99 will be met.

What if my organisation chooses not to use the CASA AOD eLearning?

Organisations are free to develop their own drug and alcohol education program, as long as it includes the mandatory components set out in 'what needs to be included in the education program' section above.

Who must complete the drug and alcohol education program?

All SSAA employees (including contractors, sub-contractors and volunteers) must complete a drug and alcohol education program. All DAMP Supervisors must complete the additional training specific to this role.

When must the education program be completed

• SSAA employees must complete the education program before commencing SSAA duties. This requirement applies to new employees as well as existing employees whose role is changing to include SSAAs.
• DAMP supervisors must complete training for that role before commencing it.
• SSAA employees and DAMP supervisors must complete subsequent education at least once every 30 months.

CASR Part 99B - Quick reference guide to education programs

DAMP organisations should ensure that they are familiar with the relevant regulations in Subpart 99B. The full text of Part 99 is available on the ComLaw website under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

Need more information?

Visit Drug and Alcohol Management Plans (DAMP) - Part 99 on CASA's website for information on regulatory requirements, guidance materials, available exemptions, resources and contacts.