Bill Current, Guest Blog Writer for National Drug Screening
Former Drug and Alcohol Program Manager for the US Coast Guard, Robert Schoening will be assisting National Drug Screening, Inc (NDS) with our web site blog articles and other DOT regulatory matters. Bob is a welcome addition to the NDS team and we look forward to his involvement with our operations and service to DOT regulated employers. With an extensive background in drug and alcohol testing, Robert Schoening is certainly an expert in this field. For those attending the SAPAA conference, September 24 -17 in Richmond, VA; you will get a chance to say hello and catch up with Bob.
Bob Schoening is well renowned for his knowledge and influence in the drug-testing arena. As the Drug and Alcohol Program Manager for the US Coast Guard (December 2001-March 2013) he developed and managed a successful drug testing program for the marine industry nationwide and internationally. During this time he developed and implemented a new compliance audit checklist as well as the writing and publishing a new Marine Employers Guidebook for Drug Testing. He is also the author of the federal regulation commonly known as the two-hour alcohol testing for maritime incidents.
Robert’s drug testing career began in the Navy Medical Department, where he received the Navy Achievement Medal for his work on development of the Navy drug-testing program which was the first major workplace drug-testing program in the country. He retired in 1985 after serving 24 years.
Upon his retirement, Robert established his own drug testing consulting company assisting other companies to establish drug-free workplaces and drug testing programs, concentrating primarily on the marine industry. His knowledge of regulations and policy helped build his company to be one of the premier providers of drug testing services for the marine industry. During this time he was instrumental in establishing many of the current federal policies that are in place.
Robert has served on the Board of Directors of the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA) as well as chairing the Governmental and Legislative Affairs committee. He was one of the first individuals to be recognized as an expert in the Drug and Alcohol testing industry and to receive designation as a Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator (1996).
Robert is active participant in community service. He recently served on the Policy Board for the Alcohol Safety Action Program in Fairfax, VA (January 1989-December 2012). Since moving to Whidbey Island in Washington, he has been named to serve on the Substance Abuse Committee and recently been named to serve on the Ferry Advisory Committee both of these committees are located in Island County, WA.
Robert is currently a consultant for Workplace Drug Testing and Drug Abuse Prevention Programs.
