AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.170(c) Psychoactive substances

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 35

PROCEDURE FOR THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF MISUSE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

(a) The operator’s procedure for the prevention and detection of cases of misuse of psychoactive substances by its flight crew members and cabin crew members and other safety-sensitive personnel under its direct control should include the testing requirements which should specify:

(1) the means to ensure confidentiality and protection of data;

(2) the responsibilities and qualifications of the person carrying out a test, which should be in accordance with national legislation and best practice;

(3) the timing and suitable locations for testing;

(4) that the organisation responsible for testing should be independent and accredited using standard guidelines on psychoactive substance testing;

(5) the testing process and in particular:

(i) the use of trained personnel to administer and undertake testing;

(ii) the collection and processing procedures to be followed;

(iii) the psychoactive substances to be tested for, based on the geographical and epidemiological profile of the operators’ personnel to be tested, and the defined threshold for being considered positive;

(iv) initial screening and confirmation methods used for analysis; and

(v) handling and reporting of test results, which should be conducted by impartial and trained personnel, in order to confirm adherence to the procedure, to determine the true positives and to prevent false positives;

(vi) internal appeal process

(6) the medical and administrative processes to be followed in case of a confirmed positive test result; and

(7) the maintenance of the records of testing conducted, and provision of summary reports on request to the CAA.